Press Release

Public urged to prevent hand, foot and mouth disease

20 May 2013

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (May 20) called on people to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD).

The appeal followed an outbreak of HFMD at a kindergarten cum child care centre in North District affecting 23 students aged between 3 and 6.

Those affected, comprising 13 boys and 10 girls, have developed oral ulcers, fever, and rash and vesicles on their hands or feet since May 10. All affected children sought medical consultation and no hospitalisation was required. Their current condition is stable.

The stool samples of two affected students tested positive for enterovirus.

Staff of the CHP have conducted a site visit and provided health advice to the staff. The school has been put under medical surveillance.

HFMD is a common disease in children and is usually caused by enteroviruses such as Coxsackie viruses and EV71.

To prevent HFMD, members of the public, and especially the management of institutions, 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 the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and oral discharge properly;
• Clean children's toys and other objects thoroughly and frequently with diluted household bleach (by adding one part of household bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite to 49 parts of water), 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; and
• Avoid going to overcrowded places.