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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health urged members of the public to be vigilant against Enterovirus-71 (EV-71) infection following the confirmation of three cases by laboratory tests today (May 27).
A spokesman for the CHP said the cases involved two boys aged two and five respectively and a seven-month-old girl. Laboratory tests on their throat or stool samples collected earlier showed positive result to EV-71 today.
Of them, the two-year-old boy lives in Shenzhen. He developed cough, runny nose, oral lesions and vesicles on May 16. He came to Hong Kong on May 20 and was treated in Prince of Wales Hospital from May 20 to 26. He has completely recovered.
He brother, who is staying in Mainland, also developed symptoms of HFMD on May 16. Both of them do not attend schools in Hong Kong. Their other family members are asymptomatic.
The five-year-old boy developed fever, oral ulcer and vesicular rash over his hands and feet on May 19 and he was treated in a private hospital from May 21 to May 27. He had recovered and was discharged today. One of his family contacts (a five year old boy) also recently recovered from HFMD. All his other family contacts are asymptomatic.
The school he attended reported another case of HFMD with onset of symptoms on May 25. CHP had provided health advice on infection control to the school management. The CHP will closely monitor the situation.
The seven-month-old baby girl had onset of oral ulcers and vesicular lesions on hands and feet since May 24. She was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital on May 25 and she is currently in stable condition. Her elder brother, aged 3, was confirmed to have EV-71 infection on May 22 and reported in press release issued the same day. The kindergarten he attended reported earlier that a total of six students, including the boy, having symptoms of HFMD. Staff of CHP had visited the school on May 20 and no new case was reported.
There are 36 cases of EV-71 infection reported to CHP so far this year. There were 35, eight, 16 and 12 cases in the years 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 respectively.
The spokesman said EV-71 is a viral infection usually found among young children. It is also one of the causative agents for HFMD.
He added that May to August is the usual peak season for HFMD and EV71. The infection is 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;
* Thoroughly clean toys or appliances which are contaminated by nasal or oral secretions.
Children suffering from the infection should stay at home and avoid contacting other children until they have recovered.
For more information and preventive measures, people may visit the CHP's website and the "HFMD and EV71 Daily Situation Update" at http://www.chp.gov.hk or call the Central Health Education Hotline 2833 0111.
Ends/Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Issued at HKT 21:29
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