6 Nov 2009
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (November 6) called on people to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD).
The appeal followed an outbreak of the disease in a nursery school in Fanling affecting 20 children.
The affected children, 13 boys and seven girls aged between three and five, developed oral ulcers, fever and rash on their hands or feet since October 17.
Nineteen of them sought medical consultation and no one required hospitalisation. All children are now in stable condition.
Laboratory test on the stool sample of one of the affected children was positive for group A Coxsackie virus.
The CHP has put the institution under medical surveillance and provided health advice to the staff.
To prevent HFMD, the CHP spokesman urged members of the public, especially management of institutions, to adopt the following measures:
* Maintain good air circulation.
* Wash hands before meals and after going to the toilet, handling diapers or other stool soiled materials.
* Keep hands clean and wash hands properly, especially when they are made dirty by respiratory secretions, such as after sneezing.
* Cover nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and mouth discharge properly.
* Clean children's toys and other objects thoroughly and frequently with 1:99 diluted household bleach, followed by rinsing/wiping with clean water.
* Children who are ill should be kept out of school until their fever and rash have subsided and all the vesicles have dried and crusted.
* Avoid going to overcrowded places.