17 Mar 2009
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a confirmed case of Enterovirus-71 (EV71) infection and urged the public to be vigilant against the disease.
A CHP spokesman said today (March 17) that the case involved a 10-year-old girl who developed Hand, Foot, Mouth Disease (HFMD) symptoms, including oral ulcers and rash over hands and feet on March 9. She sought medical treatment and did not require hospitalisation. She is in stable condition.
Her stool specimen was tested positive to EV71.
CHP's investigation revealed that the girl had no travel history. Her two-year-old brother and 11-year-old sister also developed HFMD symptoms. Her brother was confirmed to have been infected with EV71 on March 10.
There was no HFMD outbreak in the primary school that the girl attended, the spokesman said.
This is the fourth EV71 case reported to CHP this year. There were 16, 12 and 98 cases in 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.