Hong Kong : Case of severe paediatric EV infection with meningitis complications under CHP investigation

Press release from Hong Kong's CHP :

" The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (July 15) investigating a case of severe paediatric enterovirus (EV) infection with meningitis complications affecting a 3-month-old boy, and hence urged the public to be vigilant against the disease.

The patient, with good past health, has presented with fever and runny nose since June 27 and was admitted to Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital on June 30. He recovered and was discharged on July

The clinical diagnosis was meningitis due to EV infection. He has been in stable condition all along.

His cerebrospinal fluid, throat and rectal swab specimens tested positive for EV upon laboratory testing.

The boy travelled to Zhongshan from June 21 to June 24. His elder brother, who developed fever recently, has recovered.

The CHP's investigation is proceeding."

Hong Kong : Case of severe paediatric enterovirus infection with meningitis complications investigated

Via CHP :

" The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (July 4) investigated a case of severe paediatric enterovirus (EV) infection with meningitis complications as well as an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in a primary school in Wong Tai Sin and urged the public to be vigilant against disease.

The case with complications involved a 7-year-old boy with good past health. He presented with sore throat on June 26. He developed fever on June 27 and was admitted to United Christian Hospital on June 28 for further treatment.

The clinical diagnosis was suspected meningitis due to EV infection. His throat swab tested positive for EV. He is now under isolation treatment in stable condition. His home contacts were all asymptomatic.

A CHP spokesman noted that there was an HFMD outbreak in the primary school, St. Patrick's Catholic Primary School (Po Kong Village Road) in Wong Tai Sin, which the patient attended as a primary two pupil."

Hong Kong : Public urged to prevent hand, foot and mouth disease

Another press release from Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection, this time with regards to Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease, excerpt :

" The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (August 30) called on people to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD).

The appeal followed an outbreak of HFMD at a kindergarten-cum-childcare centre in Tuen Mun affecting 17 children aged between 2 and 5 and three staff members aged between 26 and 32.

Those affected, comprising nine males and 11 females, have developed oral ulcers, fever, vesicles and rash on hands or feet since August 16.

All sought medical consultation. Two required hospitalisation and have already been discharged. All the affected persons are in a stable condition.

The stool specimens from two affected children tested positive for enterovirus."

Hong Kong : Caution against Enterovirus 71 infection and Hand, Foot and Mouth disease

Via Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection :

" In anticipation of the seasonal rise of Enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection and hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (May 19) called on the public to take preventive measures.

A spokesman for the CHP said an increased number of EV71 infections had been recorded recently. "In May (as of May 18) this year, the CHP recorded nine cases of EV71 infection, higher than the number of cases recorded in March and April, which ranged from zero to two cases," the spokesman said.

"The CHP has received 16 reports of EV71 infections so far this year, the patients aged from two months to seven years old. While a 14-month-old boy who had meningoencephalitis complication passed away on February 6, the other patients had mild symptoms without severe complications.

"The CHP has also received six reports of HFMD outbreaks in institutions in May (as of May 18) while five and one HFMD outbreaks were recorded in March and April, respectively."

The traditional summer peak season of EV71 and HFMD is usually from May to July. The local activity is expected to increase in the next few weeks.

The spokesman said that the CHP had sent letters to child care centres, kindergartens and primary and secondary schools alerting them to the latest HFMD and EV71 infections situation and providing advice on prevention and control."

Macao reports another 24 enterovirus cases

Via Xinhua :

" MACAO, June 18 : Macao's Health Bureau Friday reported 24 newly recorded cases of enterovirus infection, bringing the total number of such cases to 554.

The newly confirmed cases included 12 male patients and 12 female patients, of which the youngest was a baby of just seven months old while the oldest one was 12 years and nine months old, according to the Bureau.

The Bureau also said that no collective outbreak of enterovirus infection was reported in local schools and creches between June 12 and 18.

Enterovirus are a genus of virus associated with several human and mammalian diseases. Enteroviruses affect millions of people worldwide each year, and are often found in the respiratory secretions, such as saliva, sputum, or nasal mucus, and stool of an infected person."