*******************************************************
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (March 27) investigating a case of severe paediatric enterovirus (EV) infection and urged the public to be vigilant against the disease.
The patient is a three-year-old girl with good past health. She presented with fever, runny rose, sore throat, abdominal pain, vomiting and convulsion on March 22. She was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for management on the same day. She developed persistent generalised convulsion on March 26 and was transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit for further management on the same day. She is currently in stable condition.
Her clinical diagnosis was EV infection complicated with status epilepticus. Her nasopharyngeal swab tested positive for EV upon testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch.
Initial investigation revealed that the patient had no recent travel history. Among her home contacts, one had recent upper respiratory tract symptoms, while the others have remained asymptomatic.
The CHP's investigation is ongoing.
A spokesman for the CHP said that as EV infection is transmitted by direct contact with nose and throat discharges, the public should be vigilant and observe the following preventive measures:
* Wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet and changing diapers;
* Cover the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing;
* Maintain good ventilation; and
* Thoroughly clean toys or appliances which are contaminated by nasal or oral secretions.
Children suffering from EV infection should stay at home and avoid contact with other children until they have recovered.
For more information, the public may visit the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk) or call the DH's health education hotline (2833 0111).
Ends/Sunday, March 27, 2016
Issued at HKT 14:07
NNNN
