EV 71 Update
************ The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (September 15) confirmed a case of Enterovirus-71 (EV-71) infection and urged the public to guard against the disease.
Details of the case are as follows:
Age: 3
Sex: Female
Date of onset: September 7
Symptom: oral ulcers and vesicles on hands and feet
Present condition: Recovered
Travel history: No recent travel history.
Home contacts: Her parents were asymptomatic. Her six-year-old sister was confirmed to have EV-71 yesterday (September 14). The nursery she is studying in was known to have a hand, foot and mouth disease outbreak with another three-year-old girl confirmed to be infected with EV-71 on September 9. All have recovered without hospitalisation. There were no more new cases in the nursery after September 9.
Cumulative total of EV-71 cases in 2005: 8
* imported: 0
* local: 8
Total number of EV 71 cases in recent years: 60 in 1998, 22 in 1999, 6 in 2000, 30 in 2001, 5 in 2002, 1 in 2003, 35 in 2004.
A CHP spokesman said it was essential that the public stayed alert to the threat of EV-71 infection and took the following preventive measures:
* Wash hands before eating and after going to toilet and changing diapers;
* Cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing;
* Maintain good ventilation;
* Clean thoroughly toys or appliances that are contaminated by nasal or oral secretions.
Parents should seek medical advice if their children develop symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease.
Children suffering from the infection should stay at home and avoid contacting other children until the illness is over.
For more information, members of the public may visit the CHP's website (http://www.chp.gov.hk) or call the Central Health Education Hotline 2833 0111.
************ The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (September 15) confirmed a case of Enterovirus-71 (EV-71) infection and urged the public to guard against the disease.
Details of the case are as follows:
Age: 3
Sex: Female
Date of onset: September 7
Symptom: oral ulcers and vesicles on hands and feet
Present condition: Recovered
Travel history: No recent travel history.
Home contacts: Her parents were asymptomatic. Her six-year-old sister was confirmed to have EV-71 yesterday (September 14). The nursery she is studying in was known to have a hand, foot and mouth disease outbreak with another three-year-old girl confirmed to be infected with EV-71 on September 9. All have recovered without hospitalisation. There were no more new cases in the nursery after September 9.
Cumulative total of EV-71 cases in 2005: 8
* imported: 0
* local: 8
Total number of EV 71 cases in recent years: 60 in 1998, 22 in 1999, 6 in 2000, 30 in 2001, 5 in 2002, 1 in 2003, 35 in 2004.
A CHP spokesman said it was essential that the public stayed alert to the threat of EV-71 infection and took the following preventive measures:
* Wash hands before eating and after going to toilet and changing diapers;
* Cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing;
* Maintain good ventilation;
* Clean thoroughly toys or appliances that are contaminated by nasal or oral secretions.
Parents should seek medical advice if their children develop symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease.
Children suffering from the infection should stay at home and avoid contacting other children until the illness is over.
For more information, members of the public may visit the CHP's website (http://www.chp.gov.hk) or call the Central Health Education Hotline 2833 0111.
Ends/Thursday, September 15, 2005
Issued at HKT 18:16
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