Hong Kong: 2018 HFMD

[Shiloh]

Source: http://7thspace.com/headlines/54155...uth_disease_and_enterovirus_71_infection.html

Heightened vigilance urged amid increasing activity of hand, foot and mouth disease and enterovirus 71 infection


Hong Kong (HKSAR) - The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (May 25) urged the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene as the local activity of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) and enterovirus (EV) 71 infection has been increasing in the past two weeks.

According to the CHP's surveillance data, the number of institutional HFMD outbreaks recorded increased from five (affecting 23 persons) to 14 (affecting 60 persons) from the week of May 6 to that of May 13. As of yesterday (May 24), 15 outbreaks involving 59 persons had been reported this week. In the last four weeks, most outbreaks occurred in kindergartens and child care centres as well as primary schools.

As for EV71 infection, while only one case of infection was recorded per month in February and March this year, the number of cases increased to seven in May.

As of yesterday, nine cases had been recorded this year.

"HFMD occurs throughout the year. Apart from a summer peak from May to July, a smaller peak may also occur from October to December. As young children are more susceptible, parents should stay alert to their health.

Institutional outbreaks may occur where HFMD can easily spread among young children with close contact," a spokesman for the CHP said...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://sg.news.yahoo.com/hong-kong-primary-school-suspends-161305642.html

Hong Kong primary school suspends some classes after hand, foot, and mouth disease outbreak leaves boy in critical condition and sickens 8 others
[South China Morning Post]
Karen Zhang
South China Morning Post7 November 2018

A primary school in Hong Kong on Wednesday said it would suspend some classes for two weeks after an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) infected nine pupils including an 11-year-old boy who was in a critical condition in hospital.

Po Leung Kuk Fong Wong Kam Chuen Primary School in Tuen Mun posted a notice on its website saying Primary Five and Six classes would be suspended from Thursday until November 21 under the advice of the Department of Health.

The suspension was advised because there were signs of the viral disease spreading among these classes, it said. However, classes would continue for other pupils...

...The boy was infected with the severe enterovirus EV71, one of the causative agents for HFMD.

 

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.ejinsight.com/20181108-chp-probes-enterovirus-71-infection-warns-of-hfmd-outbreak/



CHP probes enterovirus 71 infection, warns of HFMD outbreak

The Department of Health?s Centre for Health Protection (CHP) has launched an investigation into a case of severe enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection involving a primary school student.

At the same time, the CHP urged the public and institutions to observe strict personal and environmental hygiene following the outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) at a primary school in Tuen Mun.

The EV71 patient, an 11-year-old boy with good past health, had been having fever, coughing and runny nose since Oct. 10 before he was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital on Nov. 3, the CHP said.

He developed convulsion and upper limbs weakness on Nov. 4 and was transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit on the same day. The CHP said he remained in critical condition...

...There have been 48 recorded cases of EV71 infection, including three with severe complications, in Hong Kong this year, compared with 38 (two with severe complications) last year, according to official data.

The spokesman said although the usual peak season for HFMD and EV71 infection is from May to July, a smaller peak may also occur from October to December...