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Director, Emergency Medicine Centre, and Consultant in Emergency Medicine |
Latest surveillance data of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) shows that Hong Kong is entering the peak season for hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) and enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection. As of May 13, 2014, CHP has recorded 20 cases of EV71 infection in 2014, which is higher than the total number of cases recorded in 2013 (12 cases); while from May 11 to 13, CHP has recorded 13 institutional HFMD outbreaks, higher than the number recorded in the preceding three weeks, which ranged from one to four outbreaks per week.
The summer peak season for HFMD and EV71 is usually from May to July. CHP expects the local activity to increase in the next few weeks.
To prevent HFMD and EV71 infection, the public is advised to strictly observe personal and environmental hygiene. You are advised to:
The public may visit the CHP's website for a weekly update on HFMD and EV71 infection starting from May 16.
Source: Department of Health (May 14, 2014)