26 Mar 2009
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (March 26) investigating a confirmed case of Enterovirus-71 (EV71) infection involving a five-year-old boy and urged the public to be vigilant against the disease.
A CHP spokesman said that the boy had presented with fever, oral ulcers and rash over hands and feet on March 22. He sought medical treatment from a private doctor and did not require hospitalisation. He is in stable condition.
His stool specimen tested positive for EV71.
The boy's family contacts had no symptoms of Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease (HFMD).
Five other children of the kindergarten that the boy attended also developed HFMD symptoms. CHP had advised the school to conduct thorough disinfection to prevent the spread of the disease.
This is the sixth case reported to the CHP this year. There were 16, 12 and 98 cases of EV71 in 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively.
For more information, people may visit the CHP's website ( www.chp.gov.hk ) or call the Central Health Education Hotline 2833 0111.