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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (April 2) advised a preschool with an outbreak of Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease (HFMD) to suspend classes for two weeks following the report of a new case in spite of enhanced infection control measures.
The school concerned is Kin Sang Baptist Church Bradbury Preschool in Tuen Mun. A total of 12 children developed symptoms of HFMD between March 16 and 30. Of the 12 students, two were confirmed to have Enterovirus-71 (EV-71) infections. The first student is a two-year-old boy who had his infection confirmed on March 27. He consulted a private doctor and required no hospitalisation.
The second student is a two-year-old girl who developed HFMD symptoms on March 25. Her 29-year-old mother also developed similar symptoms on March 29. They sought medical treatment from private doctors and did not require hospitalisation. Both of them were confirmed today to have EV-71 infection.
All of them are now in stable condition.
The school management had stepped up cleaning measures according to the CHP's advice following its visit on March 23 and 30. However, a new HFMD case was reported to the CHP involving a five-year-old boy who developed similar symptoms today. He did not require hospitalisation and is now in stable condition.
A CHP spokesman said that in view of the emergence of a new case after infection control measures were enhanced, the school was advised to suspend classes for two weeks from tomorrow to April 16 for thorough disinfection.
"This is a measure to prevent further spreading of the disease in the school.
"The CHP will closely monitor the situation. Parents are advised to pay attention to the health condition of their children, and to remind them to observe good personal and environmental hygiene."
A total of 11 confirmed EV71 cases have been reported to the CHP so far this year. There were 16, 12 and 98 cases in 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively.
For more information on HFMD and EV-71, people may visit the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk) or call the Central Health Education hotline 2833 0111.
Ends/Thursday, April 2, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:01
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