Recently, there have been two cases of severe paediatric enterovirus (EV) infection in Hong Kong. The Department of Health urged the public to be vigilant against the disease.

The first case involved a 1-month-old baby boy with good past health. He presented with fever since July 9. He was taken to the Accident and Emergency Department of a public hospital on July 10, and was admitted on the same day. He has recovered and was discharged today.The clinical diagnoses were meningitis and urinary tract infection. His cerebrospinal fluid tested positive for EV upon preliminary laboratory testing. Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that he had no recent travel history.

The second case involved a 1-month-old baby girl with good past health. She presented with fever since July 15. She was taken to the Accident and Emergency Department of a public hospital on July 16, and was admitted on the same day. She is now in stable condition. The clinical diagnosis was meningitis. Her cerebrospinal fluid tested positive for EV upon preliminary laboratory testing. Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that the patient lives in Shenzhen. Her home contacts have remained asymptomatic.

A spokesman for the CHP said that as EV infection is transmitted by direct contact with nose and throat discharges, the public should remain vigilant and observe the following preventive measures:

• Wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet and changing diapers;
• Cover the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing;
• Maintain good ventilation; and
• Thoroughly clean toys or appliances which are contaminated by nasal or oral secretions.
• Children suffering from the infection should stay at home and avoid contact with other children until they have recovered.

Source: Department of Health (July 18, 2014)