August 17, 2000
The Department of Health (DH) today (August 17) called upon members of the public to maintain personal hygiene at all times to prevent enterovirus infection in the summer months.
The appeal was made following the confirmation of a fatal case of Enterovirus-71 (EV-71) infection involving a five-year-old girl who was admitted to hospital on July 30 this (2000) year and died the following day.
The Consultant (Community Medicine) of DH, Dr Tse Lai-yin said: "Laboratory result indicated that the girl had EV-71 infection."
"Investigations revealed that the girl had travelled to China during the incubation period. Her home contacts were asymptomatic and health advice on the prevention of the disease was given to them."
"This is a sporadic imported case and there is no cause for undue alarm."
Dr Tse pointed out that enteroviruses are found worldwide and asymptomatic infections are common. There is a seasonal trend with most cases occurring in the summer months.
Dr Tse said: "EV-71 infection usually occurs in children. Affected patients will develop fever, mouth ulcers and rash on the limbs. The disease is usually self-limiting. However, severe forms of EV-71 infection affecting the brain and the heart can occur but are rare."
"The mode of transmission is predominantly faecal-oral route but the virus can also be spread through droplets or direct contact with respiratory secretions. The best prevention is to maintain good personal hygiene at all times."
Dr Tse said that the Government had set up a sentinel surveillance system since June 1998 to monitor hand, food and mouth disease (HFMD), which is one of the manifestations of enterovirus infections. An usual seasonal rise in HFMD was observed in May to July this (2000) year.
The Interdepartmental Working Group on Enterovirus Infection had held a meeting in May 2000 to reinforce preventive measures among relevant government departments in the summer months.
There were two confirmed cases of EV-71 this (2000) year. The first case was reported in May. The patient, a three-year-old boy, was presented with HFMD and had fully recovered.
In 1999, there were 22 confirmed cases of EV-71. All were uncomplicated cases and made full recovery except for a two-year-old boy who died in May 1999.
Although the reported cases of HFMD remained at a low level in the past few weeks, Dr Tse called upon members of the public to take preventive measure to prevent enterovirus infection.
To prevent EV-71 infection, members of the public should: