2008-04-30
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (April 30) confirmed three cases of Enterovirus-71 (EV-71) infection involving a four-year-old girl and her 31-year-old mother as well as a 16-month-old girl. The school that the four-year-old girl attends is advised to suspend classes from May 2 for two weeks for disinfection.
The school involved is Hong Kong Christian Service Kwun Tong Nursery School. Twenty-three children of the school developed symptoms of Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease (HFMD) between April 19 and 29. They sought treatment from private doctors. None of them required hospitalization.
The four-year-old girl developed rashes on April 24 and her mother also developed symptoms of HFMD 4 days later. Laboratory result of their stool specimens today confirmed EV71 infection.
CHP advised the school to suspend classes for two weeks from May 2 to 15 for thorough cleansing and disinfection.
A CHP spokesman said, "This is a precautionary measure to prevent further spreading of disease in the school. CHP had conducted field visit and provided health instructions to the staff."
"CHP will keep a close watch on 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."
The last patient is a sporadic case involving a 16-month-old girl living in Shenzhen. She developed fever and rashes on April 20 and came to Hong Kong for treatment on April 21. She was then admitted to United Christian Hospital on April 22 and was discharged the next day. She has returned to the Mainland on April 24. Laboratory result of her stool specimens confirmed EV71 infection.
There are 10 cases of EV-71 infection reported to CHP so far this year. There were 35, 8, 16 and 12 cases in the years 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 respectively. .
For more information, people may visit the CHP's website (http://www.chp.gov.hk) or call the Central Health Education Hotline 2833 0111.
Ends/Wednesday, April 30, 2008