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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (May 10) confirmed a case of Enterovirus-71 (EV-71) , a viral infection usually found among young children, and urged the public to guard against the disease.
A CHP spokesman said a three-year-old boy developed rash over hands and feet and mouth ulcer on May 2. He consulted a private doctor without hospitalisation and has recovered.
The boy has no recent travel history. CHP has contacted his family members. His father had symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease. He consulted a private doctor and is in stable condition. Initial investigation showed that 11 other children of the kindergarten the boy was attending were found to have hand-foot-mouth disease.
The spokesman said as the disease was transmitted by direct contact with nose and throat discharges, it was essential that the public should stay alert to the threat of EV-71 infection and take the following preventive measures for 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; and
- 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-mouth disease.
Children suffering from the infection should stay at home and avoid contacting other children until the illness is over.
This is the first case of EV-71 infection reported to CHP in 2007. There were 35, 8 and 16 cases of EV-71 infections reported in 2004, 2005 and 2006 respectively.
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/Thursday, May 10, 2007
Issued at HKT 19:10
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