The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 7) confirmed a case of Enterovirus-71 (EV-71) infection and urged people to guard against the disease.

Details of the case are as follows:
Age: 11
Sex: Female
Date of onset: May 27
Symptom: fever, vesicles over hands and feet and oral lesions.
Present condition: Stable without hospitalisation.
Travel history: No recent travel history.
Home contacts: The patient's 15-year-old brother was confirmed to have EV-71 on May 30. Other home contacts are asymptomatic. The patient's school was put under medical surveillance and no other cases were reported.

Cumulative total of EV-71 cases in 2006: 9
* imported: 0
* local: 7
* to be classified: 2

     Total number of EV-71 cases in recent years: 60 in 1998, 22 in 1999, 6 in 2000, 30 in 2001, 5 in 2002, 1 in 2003, 35 in 2004 and 8 in 2005.

A CHP spokesman said it was essential that people stayed alert to the threat of EV-71 infection and take the following preventive measures in prevention of the disease:
* 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.

     Parents should seek medical advice if their children develop symptoms of hand-foot-mouth disease.

     Children suffering from the infection should stay at home and avoid contacting other children until the illness is over.

     For more information, members of the public may visit the CHP's website (http://www.chp.gov.hk) or call the Central Health Education Hotline 2833 0111.

Ends/Wednesday, June 7, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:41

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