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 From Hong Kong's Information Services Department
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November 17, 2008
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Surveillance
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Alert issued on hand-foot-mouth disease
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Centre for Health Protection

People are reminded to maintain personal and environmental hygiene to prevent hand-foot-mouth disease following an outbreak in a Kwun Tong primary school involving 23 students.

 

The children, aged six to nine years, developed fever, mouth ulcers, and vesiclar rash over the hands or feet from October 28.

 

They consulted private doctors or sought treatment at general out-patient clinics. They have recovered or are in stable condition. None required hospitalisation. 

 

The Centre for Health Protection has visited to the school and provided health advice.

 

The disease is a common childhood infectious disease and is mainly transmitted by the faecal-oral route. Direct contact with open and weeping wounds can also spread the virus. In most cases, the fever, rash and ulcers subside spontaneously in one week and full recovery is usual.

 

To prevent the disease people should observe good hygiene practices. More health tips are available here, or call 2833 0111.