Press Release

Two cases of severe paediatric enterovirus infection

10 July 2012

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (July 10) investigating two cases of severe paediatric enterovirus (EV) infection affecting a five-year-old girl and a 39-day-old baby boy, and urges the public to be vigilant against the disease.

In the first case, the girl lives in Mainland China. She presented with fever, headache and neck stiffness on July 1. She travelled to Hong Kong for treatment on July 4 and was admitted to Hong Kong Adventist Hospital on the same day.

The clinical diagnosis was meningitis due to EV infection. Her condition is stable. Her cerebrospinal fluid specimen tested positive for EV.

The girl's elder brothers also had symptoms and had sought medical consultation. Other home contacts were asymptomatic.

As regards the second case, the baby boy also lives in Mainland China. He had fever on July 4. He travelled to Hong Kong for treatment on July 5 and was admitted to Prince of Wales Hospital on the same day. His cerebrospinal fluid specimen tested positive for EV while his rectal swab tested positive for Coxsackie virus. His condition has been stable all along.

The boy's home contacts did not have symptoms.

CHP's investigation continues.

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

* Wash hands before eating and after going to toilet and changing diapers;
* Cover 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 contacting other children until they have recovered.

For more information, people may visit the CHP's website (This link will open in a new windowwww.chp.gov.hk) or call the Central Health Education Hotline 2833 0111.