Press Release

EV-71 infection update

May 24, 2004

The Department of Health today (May 24) confirmed a case of Enterovirus-71 (EV-71) infection and urged the public to guard against the disease.

Today's case was related to an earlier confirmed case in the same creche with Hand-Foot-Mouth-Disease(HFMD) outbreak. All children with HFMD in this outbreak did not develop complications and have all recovered. Some more specimens from this outbreak are being tested at the Public Health Laboratory Centre and results are pending.

Details of today's case are as follow:

Age: 2 years old
Sex: Male
Date of Onset: May 9, 2004
Symptoms: Rash over four limbs and mouth
Present Condition: Recovered. No hospitalization required.
Travel History: No recent travel history.

Cumulative Total in 2004: 6
* imported: 0
* local: 6

Total in previous years: 60 in 1998, 22 in 1999, 6 in 2000, 30 in 2001, 5 in 2002, 1 in 2003

It is essential that the public stays alert to the threat of EV-71 infection and take the following preventive measures in prevention of the disease:.

• Wash hands before eating and after going to toilet and changing diapers.
• Cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.
• Maintain good ventilation.
• Clean thoroughly toys or appliances which are contaminated by nasal or oral secretions.
• Parents are advised to seek medical advice if their children develop symptoms of hand-foot-mouth disease.
• Children suffering from the infection should stay at home and avoid contacting other children until the illness is over.

For more information on EV-71, members of the public can call the DH's health education hotline 2833 0111 or browse the Central Health Education Unit website ( http://www.cheu.gov.hk )