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Thursday, August 8, 2013

Hong Kong : CHP advises kindergarten cum child care centre with HFMD outbreak to suspend classes

Press release from CHP :

" The Salvation Army Pak Tin Nursery School, a kindergarten cum child care centre in Pak Tin Estate, Sham Shui Po, has been advised by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health to suspend classes from today (August 8) for two weeks until August 21 following an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) affecting 22 pupils.

Further to the CHP's investigation into the outbreak affecting 21 pupils on August 5, an additional case in which a four-year-old girl developed oral ulcers was reported today. The girl subsequently sought medical attention and did not require hospitalisation.

This brings the total number of affected pupils to 22, comprising 15 boys and seven girls aged from one to five. They have developed oral ulcers as well as rashes and vesicles on their hands or feet since July 7. All the affected pupils sought medical consultation and no hospitalisation was required. All of them are currently in stable condition.

The stool specimen of one of the affected pupils tested positive both for Enterovirus 71 (EV71) and Coxsackie virus A6 upon laboratory testing by the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch of the CHP.

The school management has stepped up infection control measures according to the CHP's health advice following officers' site visits on July 15 and August 1. As an additional case has emerged in spite of enhanced infection control, the school was advised to suspend classes for thorough disinfection with a view to stopping further transmission of the virus."

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