Press Release

CHP advised secondary school with HFMD outbreak to suspend classes

15 October 2013

QualiEd College, Tseung Kwan O, was advised today (October 15) by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health to suspend classes from tomorrow (October 16) for two weeks until October 29 following an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) affecting 20 students. The suspension will involve six classes.

The affected 12 boys and eight girls, aged from 12 to 17, have developed oral ulcers as well as rashes and vesicles on their hands or feet since September 24. Sixteen of them sought medical treatment. One of them, who required hospitalisation, was discharged on October 8. All the affected students are in a stable condition.

The stool samples of two of the affected students tested positive for Enterovirus 71 (EV71) upon laboratory testing by the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch of the CHP.

The school management has stepped up infection control measures according to the CHP's health advice following officers' site visits on October 3 and October 8. As two additional cases have emerged despite enhanced infection control and site visit on October 8, the school was advised to suspend the affected classes for thorough disinfection with a view to stopping further virus transmission.

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, are reminded to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene, and take heed of the following preventive measures:

• Maintain good air circulation;
• Wash hands before meals and after going to the toilet or handling diapers or other stool-soiled materials;
• Keep hands clean and wash hands properly, especially when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, such as after sneezing;
• Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and oral discharges 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 or 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.

The public may visit the CHP's website ( www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/16354.html ) for more information on HFMD and EV71 infection.