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The Department of Health has received reports of a Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease outbreak on Cheung Chau involving 37 children aged two to seven.
Most of them have recovered and did not require hospitalisation. The five institutions included two childcare centres, one kindergarten and two primary schools.
One examination tested positive for Coxsackie A16 virus, a common causative agent for hand, foot and mouth. Results for other tests are pending. A health talk is being arranged for residents.
The first case was reported on November 19. Upon notification, the department immediately started investigations and put the institution under medical surveillance.
All five have been instructed to adopt preventive measures and carry out proper disinfection according to the department's guidelines.
Fourteen other institutions for children on the island are being checked for cases and reminded to report any suspected outbreak.
Watch for symptoms
The disease is mainly faecal-orally transmitted. In most cases, the fever, rash and ulcers subside spontaneously in a week and full recovery is usual. Complications are uncommon.
The department reminded parents to seek prompt medical attention if their children develop a high fever or feel ill.
According to the department's sentinel surveillance system, the consultation rates for hand, foot and mouth fluctuated around the baseline in recent months.
The weekly rates last month ranged from 0 to 0.05 per 1,000 consultations for General Out-patient Clinics and from 0.3 to 0.7 per 1,000 consultations for general practitioners. The rates were lower than those in November and December last year.
Prevention tips
The department regularly issues the Guidelines of Communicable Diseases to childcare centres, kindergartens, schools and other institutions.
To prevent the illness, people, including institution managements, should adopt the following measures:
* maintain good air circulation;
* wash hands before meals and after going to the toilet, handling nappies or other soiled materials;
* wash hands regularly and properly;
* cover nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing;
* clean children's toys and other objects thoroughly and frequently with 1:99 diluted household bleach;
* children who are ill should be kept out of school; and,
* avoid going to overcrowded places.
For more advice visit the department's website or call the Central Health Education Unit hotline 2833 0111.
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