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Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Hong Kong : Suspected fatal case of scarlet fever under investigation

Via Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection, fatal case of scarlet fever is being investigated :

" The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a suspected fatal case of scarlet fever involving a 5-year-old boy.

The boy presented with fever from June 15. He was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital on June 19 after sudden deterioration in his condition. The boy developed toxic shock syndrome and passed away today (June 21). According to his parent, the child had consulted a general practitioner for chickenpox earlier.

The patient's clinical diagnosis was scarlet fever and toxic shock syndrome. A laboratory test on his blood specimen revealed gram positive cocci. Further tests are being conducted by the hospital to confirm diagnosis.

The Public Health Laboratory Centre under the CHP will also carry out tests on any positive isolate obtained. Further investigation is ongoing to collect more complete clinical information from the parents and doctors who have seen the child.

The kindergarten that the boy attended, SA Tin Ka Ping Kindergarten in Sha Tin, had no other scarlet fever cases, but an ongoing chickenpox outbreak since May 4 has affected 11 other students aged between 3 and 5. As a precautionary measure, the CHP advised the kindergarten to suspend classes for seven days starting tomorrow (June 22).

"The CHP paid a visit to the kindergarten and advised its staff to conduct thorough cleansing and disinfection in the campus," a spokesman for the CHP said.

Starting from today, the CHP will provide a daily update on the scarlet fever situation online."

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