Heightened vigilance urged amid increasing activity of hand, foot and mouth disease
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (October 9) urged the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene as a localprevalence of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) has been increasing in recent weeks.
According to the CHP's surveillance data, the number of HFMD outbreaks in institutions recorded has increased from 11 (affecting 47 persons) in the week ending September 21, to 24 (affecting 73 persons) and 20 outbreaks (affecting 53 persons) recorded in the week ending September 28 and October 5 respectively. As of yesterday (October 8), five outbreaks involving 11 persons had been reported in the past three days of this week. The outbreaks mainly occurred in kindergartens and child care centres (KG/CCC) as well as primary schools.
In addition, the DH's sentinel surveillance based atKG/CCCandprivate medical practitioner clinicshas shown significant increases in HFMD activity recently. So far, two cases of enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection and one case of severe paediatric enterovirus infection (other than EV71 and poliovirus) had been recorded this year.
"HFMD occurs throughout the year in Hong Kong, with the usual peak occurring from May to July and a smaller peak from October to December. As young children are more susceptible, parents should stay alert to their health condition. Institutional outbreaks may occur where HFMD can easily spread among young children with close contact," a spokesman for the CHP said.
"We issued letters to doctors, kindergartens, child care centres, and primary and secondary schools to alert them to the latest situation. Schools are reminded to follow theGuidelines on Prevention of Communicable Diseaseson preventive and control measures as well as management of outbreaks, which should be reported to the CHP for prompt follow-up," the spokesman added.
Management of venues with play facilities should pay special attention to the CHP'sPublic Health Advice for Play Facilitieson appropriate infection control in activities involving young children under6 during the peak season.
The spokesman reminded that alcohol-based handrub should not substitute hand hygiene with liquid soap and water, as alcohol does not effectively kill some viruses causing HFMD, for example, EV71. To prevent HFMD, members of the public (especially the management of institutions) should take heed of the following preventive measures:
The CHP's weekly publication, EV SCAN (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/21639.html), is issued every Friday to report the latest local situation of HFMD. Members of the public may also visit the CHP's page onHFMD and EV71 infectionfor more information.