****************************************************
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (February 4) called on people to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD).
The appeal followed an outbreak of the disease in a kindergarten-cum-child care centre in Kwai Chung involving 21 children.
The affected children are 12 boys and nine girls aged between two and five. They developed oral ulcers and rash over their hands or feet from January 15.
All of them sought medical consultation and none required hospitalisation. All the children are in stable condition.
CHP staff have visited the centre and provided health advice to the management.
To prevent HFMD, members of the public, including the management of institutions, should adopt the following measures:
* Maintain good ventilation.
* Wash hands before meals and after going to the toilet, handling diapers or other stool-soiled materials.
* Keep hands clean and wash hands properly, especially when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, e.g. after sneezing.
* Cover nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and mouth discharge properly.
* Clean children's toys and other objects thoroughly and frequently with 1:99 diluted household bleach, followed by rinsing/wiping with clean water.
* Children who are ill should be kept out of school until their fever and rash have subsided and all the vesicles have dried and crusted.
* Avoid going to overcrowded places.
For more advice on the prevention of HFMD, people may visit the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk) or call the department's Central Health Education Unit hotline 2833 0111.
Ends/Thursday, February 4, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:02
NNNN