The Centre for Health Protection will launch enhanced measures to fight the expected rise in hand-foot-mouth diseases and Enterovirus-71 infections.

Upon notification of hand-foot-mouth disease outbreaks the centre will initiate prompt investigation and control measures to limit disease transmission. Certain scenarios may warrant temporary suspension of classes in child institutions.

The centre has sent letters to childcare centres, kindergartens, and primary and secondary schools alerting them to the current situation and providing advice on prevention and control.

Health talks will be arranged for schools, kindergartens and childcare centres this month. Broadcast of television and radio announcements will be intensified, and a weekly update on hand-foot-mouth diseases and Enterovirus-71 infections will be published on the centre's website today.

For schools with a significant intake of cross-border students, school managements and transport contractors are reminded to conduct regular and thorough disinfection of school buses. These schools should remind parents not to send their children with symptoms to school.

The Port Health Office is distributing pamphlets at immigration control points. Letters have been issued to doctors on the latest situation and management of the illeness in Hong Kong.