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| One of the symptoms of HFMD (Wikipedia photo) |
The government today warned against a rising incidence of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), which a viral disease that attacks mostly children.
The
Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today
(September 18) also urged schools to immediately report any outbreak.
The
CHP reported the number of HFMD outbreaks in institutions/schools has increased
from two (affecting six persons) in a week on August 24 to 30, to seven
outbreaks per week from Aug. 31 to Sept. 13, affecting 51 persons.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
In
the first four days this week (Sept. 14-17), 14 outbreaks (affecting 32
persons) have been reported. Over 90 per cent of the outbreaks occurred in
child care centres/kindergartens (CCC/KG) and primary schools.
In
addition, the DH's sentinel surveillance based at CCC/KG and private medical
practitioner clinics indicated a significant increase in HFMD activity in the
past few weeks.
"As
there has been an increase in HFMD activity, parents should stay alert to the
health condition of their young children," the Controller of the CHP, Dr
Edwin Tsui, said.
Most
HFMD patients have mild symptoms and the disease usually begins with fever,
poor appetite, tiredness and sore throat. Painful sores may develop in the
mouth one to two days after the onset of fever and then often become ulcers.
Most patients recover on their own in seven to 10 days.
To
prevent HFMD, members of the adopt the following preventive measures:
Maintain
good air circulation;
Keep
hands clean and wash hands properly. Wash hands before meals, after going to
the toilet, when they are soiled by respiratory secretions, such as after
sneezing, or after handling diapers or other stool-soiled materials;
Cover
the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and oral
discharges properly;
Regularly
clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as furniture, toys and
commonly shared items with 1:99 diluted household bleach (mixing one part of
household bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite with 99 parts of
water), leave for 15 to 30 minutes, and then rinse with water and keep dry;
Use
absorbent disposable towels to wipe away obvious contaminants such as
respiratory secretions, vomitus or excreta, and then disinfect the surface and
neighbouring areas with 1:49 diluted household bleach (mixing one part of
bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite with 49 parts of water),
leave for 15 to 30 minutes and then rinse with water and keep dry;
Avoid
going to overcrowded places;
Children
who are ill should be kept out of school until their fever and rashes have
subsided and all vesicles have dried and crusted; and
Parents
should maintain close communication with schools to let them know the latest
situation of sick children.
The
CHP's weekly publication, EV SCAN (www.chp.gov.hk/en/resources/29/502.html),
is issued every Friday to report the latest local situation of HFMD. Members of
the public may also visit the CHP's page (https://www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/16354.html)
for more information on HFMD and EV71 infection.
