Public urged to prevent Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
1 June 2004
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 1) reminded the public and management of childcare institutions to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD).
The appeal was made after the department received a report of 7 cases of HFMD from a nursery in Kwai Chung on May 31.
The nursery experienced a HFMD outbreak during mid-May, and one of the cases was confirmed to be EV-71 on May 29. All children did not suffer from any complications. Two had been hospitalized and discharged with full recovery.
Upon receiving report from the nursery, CHP have been closely monitoring the health conditions of the children. Site visits to the nursery and health talks including health advice and prevention measures against HFMD were also provided to the staff. The nursery had carried out disinfection and stepped up hygiene measures. This resulted in an apparent cessation of the outbreak.
With the re-appearance of 7 HFMD cases on May 31, this suggests the need for more stringent measures to control the outbreak. Therefore, CHP recommended the nursery to temporarily suspend classes for one week starting June 1.
The total number of HFMD cases as of May 31 from this nursery stood at 29, including 21 boys and 8 girls, aged from 3 to 6.
A thorough disinfection on the premises will be conducted under the supervision of CHP staff. CHP has set up a hotline 2575 1221 during office hours to answer enquiries from concerned parents.
"The mode of transmission of EV-71 is predominantly the faecal-oral route but the viruses can also be spread through droplets or direct contact with respiratory secretions. There is a seasonal trend with most cases occurring in summer months and the disease commonly occurs in childcare institutions," a CHP spokesman said.
He further explained that EV-71 is one cause of HFMD which is a common illness of infants and children, and is characterized by fever, sores in the mouth and a rash with blisters. Complications are rare.
To prevent HFMD, members of the public, including management of childcare institutions, should adopt the following measures:
* Wash hands before eating, after using toilets and changing diapers.
* Cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing
* Maintain good air circulation.
* Clean and wash shard toys properly
* Keep children suffering from the infection at home until the illness is over and seek medical advice if their children develop symptoms of HFMD.
For more advice on prevention of HFMD, members of the public may visit CHP's website (http://www.chp.gov.hk) or call Central Health Education Unit hotline 2833 0111.
End/Tuesday, June 1, 2004
