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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (July 14) confirmed a case of Enterovirus-71 (EV-71) infection and urged the public to guard against the disease.
Details of the case are as follows:
Age: 10 months
Sex: Male
Date of onset: July 8
Symptom: fever, blisters over hands and feet and oral lesions
Present condition: Already recovered. Admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 9 and discharged on July 12.
Travel history: Has been residing on Mainland and came back to Hong Kong for medical treatment.
Cumulative total of EV-71 cases in 2006: 12
* imported: 1 (today's case)
* local: 9
* 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 the public stay alert to the threat of EV-71 infection and take 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;
* Clean thoroughly toys or appliances which are contaminated by nasal or oral secretions.
Parents should seek medical advice if their children develop symptoms of hand, foot and 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/Friday, July 14, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:16
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