A 4-year-old girl has tested positive for Enterovirus-71, the first case reported this year. She has recovered and her relatives showed no symptoms.

The girl developed oral lesions and a rash on May 3, and her stool tested positive for EV-71 today. Her relatives showed no symptoms.

Another 11 children, aged 2 to 4, studying in the same childcare centre on Tsing Yi developed hand-foot-mouth symptoms. They are stable and none required hospitalisation.

The case has been classified local as she has no recent travel history. There were 35 cases last year, one in 2003 and five in 2002.

To guard against EV-71 infection, people should:

* wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet and changing diapers;

* cover their mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing;

* maintain good ventilation;

* thoroughly clean toys or appliances which are contaminated by nasal or oral secretions.

Parents should seek medical advice if their children develop symptoms of hand-foot-mouth disease. Children suffering from the infection should stay at home and avoid contacting other children until they have recovered.