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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a suspected fatal case of enterovirus infection involving a 9-month-old baby boy.
The boy, with good past health, developed fever and shortness of breath since June 18. He was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital on June 20. He was found to have cardiac arrest shortly after admission and was transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit. He was certified dead yesterday morning (June 21).
The boy's clinical diagnosis was viral myocarditis.
A nasopharyngeal aspirate and rectal swab taken from the boy tested positive for enterovirus.
The boy and his parents were visitors who arrived in Hong Kong several days before his admission.
The CHP's investigation is continuing. The cause of the boy's death is under investigation by the Coroner.
This is the second suspected fatal case of enterovirus infection reported to the CHP this year. The CHP recorded one fatal case each year from 2009 to 2011.
Ends/Friday, June 22, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:43
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