The Centre for Health Protection urges people to be vigilant against hand, foot and mouth disease and Enterovirus-71 infection due to a rise in the number of institutional outbreaks since mid-March.

While the peak season of the two illnesses in Hong Kong usually falls between May and July, there were 29 reports of hand, foot and mouth disease and herpangina outbreaks in institutions in March, up from 10 in January and February. A significant increase in the disease's activity has recently been detected at childcare centres and kindergartens.

Nine reports of EV-71 infections have been received so far this year, with the patients aged one to nine years old. Their symptoms were mild without severe complication. Recent surveillance showed EV-71 isolates had no significant genetic changes.

Letters were sent today to doctors, childcare centres, kindergartens, primary and secondary schools to alert them about the most current infection situation and to provide advice on prevention and control. Similar letters were issued on March 25. Health talks are being arranged this month together with the Education Bureau and Social Welfare Department.

As the diseases are active in neighbouring areas like Guangdong and some countries in Asia, the centre reminds people to observe good hygiene while in Hong Kong and while travelling.

Visit the centre's website for the latest infection statistics.