9 Mar 2009
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating the first confirmed case of Enterovirus-71 (EV71) infection this year and urged the public to be vigilant against the disease.
A CHP spokesman said today (March 9) that the case involved a two-year-old girl who developed oral ulcers and rash over hands and feet on March 4. She sought medical treatment from a doctor and did not require hospitalisation. She is now in stable condition.
Her stool specimen was tested positive for EV71.
Nine other children in the nursery the girl attended developed Hand Foot Mouth Disease symptoms since March 2. All of them sought medical treatment. One of them was hospitalized and has been discharged.
There were 35, eight, 16, 12 and 98 cases in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively.
For more information, the public may visit the CHP's website ( www.chp.gov.hk ) or call the Central Health Education Hotline 2833 0111.