Giuseppe
Emeritus
[Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, full text: (LINK).]
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Nursery school with HFMD outbreak advised to suspend classes
23 May 2011
The Christian and Missionary Alliance Lei Tung Nursery School has been advised by the Department of Health's Centre for Health Protection (CHP) to suspend classes from tomorrow (May 24) for two weeks until June 6 following an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) affecting five pupils.
Four boys and one girl, aged three to four, developed symptoms of HFMD since May 13. All of them sought medical treatment. No hospitalisation was required. They are now in stable condition.
The stool samples of two affected students tested positive for enterovirus 71 (EV71).
The school management has stepped up infection control measures according to the CHP's advice following their visit on May 19. As two more pupils were today (May 23) reported to be affected with HFMD, the school was advised to suspend classes for thorough disinfection and to interrupt virus transmission.
There have been 19 EV71 cases so far this year. There were 101 EV71 cases in 2010 and 31 EV71 cases in 2009.
A CHP spokesman reminded the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene during HFMD outbreaks and to adopt the following preventive measures:
-23 May 2011
The Christian and Missionary Alliance Lei Tung Nursery School has been advised by the Department of Health's Centre for Health Protection (CHP) to suspend classes from tomorrow (May 24) for two weeks until June 6 following an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) affecting five pupils.
Four boys and one girl, aged three to four, developed symptoms of HFMD since May 13. All of them sought medical treatment. No hospitalisation was required. They are now in stable condition.
The stool samples of two affected students tested positive for enterovirus 71 (EV71).
The school management has stepped up infection control measures according to the CHP's advice following their visit on May 19. As two more pupils were today (May 23) reported to be affected with HFMD, the school was advised to suspend classes for thorough disinfection and to interrupt virus transmission.
There have been 19 EV71 cases so far this year. There were 101 EV71 cases in 2010 and 31 EV71 cases in 2009.
A CHP spokesman reminded the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene during HFMD outbreaks and to adopt the following preventive measures:
- Maintain good indoor air circulation;
- Wash hands before meals and after going to the toilet, handling diapers or other stool-soiled materials;
- Keep hands clean and wash hands properly, especially when they are made dirty by respiratory secretions, such as after sneezing;
- Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and mouth discharge properly;
- Clean and disinfect contaminated areas or items such as toys promptly and thoroughly with diluted household bleach (by adding one part of household bleach containing 5.25% sodium hypochlorite to 49 parts of 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.
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