Hong Kong, Case of severe paediatric enterovirus infection (December 27 2012)

[Giuseppe]

[Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, full text: (LINK).]

Case of severe paediatric enterovirus infection


The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (December 27) investigating a case of severe paediatric enterovirus (EV) infection affecting a two-month-old boy and urged the public to be vigilant against the disease.

The patient presented with fever on December 14 and was admitted to a hospital in Shenzhen the next day (December 15). He then developed decrease in feeding, vomiting and diarrhoea and was admitted to Tseung Kwan O Hospital on December 16. The clinical diagnosis was meningitis due to EV infection. His condition is stable and he was discharged on December 21.

His cerebrospinal fluid specimen cultured Coxsackie virus group B type 3.

The patient lived in Shenzhen and his home contacts are asymptomatic. An investigation by the CHP is under way.

A CHP spokesperson said that as EV infection is transmitted by direct contact with nose and throat discharges, members of the public should be vigilant against the disease and observe the following preventive measures:

• Wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet, clearing up vomitus or changing diapers;
• Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing, and properly dispose of nasal and mouth discharge;
• Never share personal items such as towels and eating utensils;
• Maintain good ventilation;
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, furniture and toilets regularly with diluted bleach of 1:99 concentration (mixing 1 part of 5.25 per cent household bleach with 99 parts of water); and
• Disinfect toys/places which are contaminated by secretions or excreta with diluted household bleach of 1:49 concentration.

Children suffering from the infection should stay at home and avoid contacting other children until they have recovered.

For more information on EV infection, the public may visit the CHP website (www.chp.gov.hk).


Ends/Thursday, December 27, 2012
Issued at HKT 17:52
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