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The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health today (August 11) called for vigilance against hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) and enterovirus (EV) infections upon receiving a report of a confirmed case of EV71 infection.
The case involved a 3-year-old boy living in Kwun Tong. He developed rash over his hands, feet and mouth on August 7. As his fever persisted, he was admitted to the United Christian Hospital on August 9. He had an episode of convulsions after admission and was diagnosed as having encephalitis. His condition was all along stable.
His rectal swab tested positive for EV71.
The patient had travelled to Qingdao between July 29 and August 6. His elder brother had fever on August 3 but symptoms subsided the next day without any medical consultation. All his other home contacts are asymptomatic.
The spokesman called on the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene and to adopt the following measures to prevent HFMD and EV infection:
* Maintain good air circulation;
* Wash hands before meals, after going to the toilet and after 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; and
* Avoid going to overcrowded places.
Ends/Thursday, August 11, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:48
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