The Centre for Health Protection has confirmed two enterovirus-71 infection cases today involving two boys aged one and eight, bringing the year's total to 45.

The one-year-old came down with a fever, oral ulcers and a rash on May 29. He went to Tuen Mun Hospital and has been discharged. His two-year-old sister also had hand-foot-mouth disease symptoms. Her nursery reported an outbreak with 10 children contracting the disease.

The eight-year-old boy came down with oral ulcers and a rash and was treated at Tuen Mun Hospital June 1. He did not require hospitalisation and is in stable condition. While his nine-year-old sister had hand-foot-mouth disease symptoms, their primary school did not report an outbreak.

There were 12 EV-71 cases last year, 35 in 2004, eight in 2005 and 16 in 2006.

EV-71 is a viral infection usually found among young children and is also a causative agent for hand-foot-mouth disease. It is transmitted by direct contact with nose and throat discharges. May to August is the usual peak season. For more health tips click here.