*********************************
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has called on people to guard against Enterovirus-71 (EV-71) following the confirmation today (July 20) of a case involving a nine-month-old girl.
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 girl developed symptoms of fever and rash on July 11. She was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 12 for management and discharged on July 15. Laboratory results of samples collected from the girl were positive for EV-71.
The girl did not have any travel history before the onset of illness. Her home contacts did not have any symptoms.
The spokesman said that 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 eighth 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 20, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:58
NNNN