The Centre for Health Protection has confirmed a red-eye syndrome outbreak involving 18 children in a Causeway Bay residential home. Tests revealed that two eye swabs were positive for Coxsackie A24 virus.

Six girls and 12 boys aged one to four came down with eye irritation, pain and redness August 15 to 27. None required hospitalisation.

People, especially swimmers, should pay attention to personal hygiene as acute conjunctivitis outbreaks tend to occur in summer, particularly in August and September. Doctors and institutions will be alerted to be vigilant against the disease.

Apart from this outbreak, there were six institutional outbreaks reported between February and August, affecting 54 people.