The Centre for Health Protection will expand the surveillance system for the early detection of children with severe complications caused by enterovirus, influenza and other pathogens on May 9. It will also produce a daily report of hand-foot-mouth diseases or enterovirus-71 on its website.

The centre today confirmed an enterovirus-71 case involving a seven-year-old Shenzhen boy, bringing this year's total to 13.

He developed a rash over his hands and feet on May 3 and consulted doctor in Shenzhen. He travelled to Hong Kong on May 5 and sought treatment at Prince of Wales Hospital and was later transferred to Princess Margaret Hospital. He was discharged yesterday.

Vigilance urged

The centre's Controller Dr Thomas Tsang said Hong Kong is entering the traditional peak season of EV-71 infections and hand-foot-mouth diseases, so people should remain vigilant of the recent upsurge in cases in some Mainland and neighbouring regions.

Dr Tsang said the consultation rate among sentinel doctors reported in April ranged from 1.3 to 1.9 per 1,000 consultations, higher than those reported in the previous month which ranged from 0.5 to 1.5 per 1,000 consultations.

Thirteen EV-71 cases have been recorded this year, which up on the corresponding periods in previous years. There were 12 and 16 cases in 2007 and 2006.

Dr Tsang said hand-foot-mouth diseases can be caused by a number of viruses, of which the Coxsackie-A virus is the most common in Hong Kong, accounting for about 75% of the outbreaks. About 20% of local outbreaks are caused by EV-71.

Prevention measures

The Department of Health, the Education Bureau and the Social Welfare Department will co-organise five health talks on disease prevention for kindergartens, childcare centres and schools. Letters with instructions and pamphlets have been sent to institutions.

Letters have been issued to all doctors on the latest situation and management of the disease.

The Department of Health's Port Health Office will distribute pamphlets at immigration checkpoints. The tourism industry has also been informed of the latest regional situation and preventive measures.

For more information click here or call 2833 0111.