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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health called on people to guard against Enterovirus-71 (EV-71) following the confirmation of a case involving a five-year-old boy today (July 6).
EV-71 is a viral infection usually found among young children. It is also one of the causative agents for hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD).
A CHP spokesman said the boy developed HFMD symptoms including mouth ulcer, cough and runny nose on June 25. He was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital on June 28 for management and discharged on July 3. Laboratory results of samples collected from the boy were positive for EV-71.
The boy did not have any travel history before the onset of illness. His home contacts did not develop any symptom.
CHP has visited the kindergarten the boy attending and a girl, aged 6, was found to have hand-foot-mouth disease on June 23. She is in stable condition and does not require hospitalisation.
The spokesman said as HFMD was transmitted by direct contact with nose and throat discharges, people should be vigilant against the disease and observe 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 which are contaminated by nasal or oral secretions.
Parents should seek medical advice if their children develop symptoms of hand-foot-mouth disease.
Children suffering from the infection should stay at home and avoid contacting other children until they have recovered.
This is the seventh case of EV-71 infection reported to CHP in 2007. There were 35, 8 and 16 cases of EV-71 infections reported in 2004, 2005 and 2006 respectively.
For more information, people may visit the CHP's website (http://www.chp.gov.hk) or call the Central Health Education Hotline 2833 0111.
Ends/Friday, July 6, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:31
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