Press Release

CHP investigates case of severe paediatric enterovirus infection

25 March 2015

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (March 25) investigating a case of severe paediatric enterovirus (EV) infection and hence urged the public to be vigilant against the disease.

The patient is a 22-day-old baby boy with good past health who has presented with fever and irritability since March 20. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of United Christian Hospital (UCH) in the late hours of March 20 and was subsequently admitted to the special care baby unit of UCH in the early morning of March 21 for further management.

His clinical diagnosis was meningitis. He is currently in stable condition.

His cerebrospinal fluid specimen and rectal swab tested positive for EV upon preliminary laboratory testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch.

Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had no recent travel history. His home contacts remain asymptomatic.

The CHP's investigation is proceeding.

A spokesman for the CHP said that as EV infection is transmitted by direct contact with nose and throat discharges, the public should be vigilant and observe the following preventive measures:

• Wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet and changing diapers;
• Cover the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing;
• Maintain good ventilation; and
• Thoroughly clean toys or appliances which are contaminated by nasal or oral secretions.

Children suffering from the infection should stay at home and avoid contact with other children until they have recovered.

For more information, the public may visit the CHP's website (This link will open in a new windowwww.chp.gov.hk) or call the DH's health education hotline (2833 0111).