The Centre for Health Protection has confirmed enterovirus-71 in two children, bringing this year's total to 26. Neither child had travelled outside Hong Kong recently.

The first case involved a nine-year-old girl who developed a rash on her hands and ulcers in her mouth on July 6. She recovered without hospitalisation. Her six-year-old brother had earlier been confirmed to have had an EV-71 infection. Other family members had no symptoms.

The second case is a six-year-old boy. On July 6, he developed blisters on his hands and feet and a fever. He recovered without hospitalisation.

The Centre for Health Protection advised them not to return to school for two weeks after they recover.

The girl in the first case is attending a primary school which has been informed of the case. Other students had no symptoms.

Brother, second case from same childcare class

Her brother and the other new case attend the same class in a childcare centre in Sheung Shui. A total of six children - aged from two to six, including these 2 boys - developed symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease from July 1 to July 6 in this centre. None required hospitalisation nor developed complications.

As a precautionary measure, students in the affected class were advised not to attend school until the end of school term.

The Centre for Health Protection called on people to guard against infection and maintain good personal and environmental hygiene.

For more advice on disease prevention, click here or call the central health education hotline 2833 0111.