2 Jun 2010
The Salvation Army Hoi Fu Nursery School in Mong Kok has been advised to suspend classes for two weeks starting tomorrow (June 3) following the Centre for Health Protection's (CHP) investigation into a viral meningitis case related to enterovirus (EV) infection involving a 12-day-old baby girl.
The baby girl presented with fever since May 30 and was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital the same day. Her clinical picture is compatible with viral meningitis.
Her stool specimen was tested positive for enterovirus 71 (EV71).
CHP's investigation showed that the baby girl's four-year-old sister had symptoms of Hand, Food and Mouth Disease (HFMD) since May 26 while her mother developed oral vesicles on May 30.
Both children and their mother are now in stable condition. Other family members have no HFMD symptoms.
As a precautionary measure, the CHP advised the Salvation Army Hoi Fu Nursery School which the elder sister attended to suspend classes for two weeks starting from tomorrow (June 3). The school had reported an Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) outbreak involving 14 pupils to CHP earlier on.
Investigation continues.
The CHP has put the institution under medical surveillance and provided health advice to the staff.
The spokesman called on the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent HFMD. They should 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 1:49 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