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Learning Habitat Kindergarten & Bilingual Nursery (Hampton Loft) in Yau Tsim Mong has been advised to suspend classes for two weeks until June 15 following investigation by the Department of Health's Centre for Health Protection (CHP) into a Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD)/herpangina outbreak at the school involving eight pupils.
One of the cases in the kindergarten with herpangina who developed complication, a three-year-old girl, was reported to the CHP this afternoon (June 1). She was admitted to Queen Mary Hospital (QMH). The other affected pupils are in stable condition.
The girl presented with fever and sore throat on May 23 and was diagnosed as herpangina on May 24 by a private paediatrician. Her fever subsided on May 25. She then presented with neck pain on May 29. On May 30 she developed unsteady gait and tremor and was admitted to QMH. She was diagnosed to have cerebellitis.
The girl is now in stable condition. Result of laboratory investigations is pending.
In a related development, Cannan Kindergarten in Whampoa Garden which has been closed for a week will continue to suspend classes between June 3 and 9 as two new cases have emerged during the surveillance period, with the two affected pupils now in stable condition.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for CHP said the 43-year-old male patient at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) had been tested positive for enterovirus 71 (EV71).
The man's rectal swab specimens were tested positive for EV71 virus by CHP's Public Health Laboratory Centre. He is now in stable condition with neither fever nor double vision.
The man presented with rash over his limbs on May 22 and developed fever and oral ulcers on May 24. On May 27, he started having double vision and high fever and was admitted to QEH.
The spokesman reminded members of the public, particularly management of institutions, to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent HFMD and EV71. They should:
* Maintain good indoor 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 made dirty by respiratory secretions, such as 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 1:49 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.
More information about the current status of HFMD is available from a daily sitrep published by CHP at its website, www.chp.gov.hk.
Ends/Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Issued at HKT 19:05
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