Hong Kong Center for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health urged people to be vigilant against Enterovirus-71 (EV71) infection following the confirmation of a case by laboratory test on Tuesday.

A spokesman for the CHP said the case involved a 2-year-old boy. Laboratory tests on his throat samples collected earlier showed positive result to EV71.

The boy lives in Shenzhen of Guangdong Province. He developed fever, rash over hand and foot with oral ulcers on May 26. He came to Hong Kong on May 29 and was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital on May 31. He was discharged on June 1, the spokesman said.

CHP's investigation is on-going, he added.

There have been 43 cases of EV71 infection reported to CHP so far in 2008. There were 35, eight, 16 and 12 cases in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 respectively.

The spokesman said EV71 was a viral infection usually found among young children. It was also one of the causative agents for Hand Foot Mouth Disease (HFMD).

He added that May to August was the usual peak season for HFMD and EV71. The infection is transmitted by direct contact with nose and throat discharges. Children suffering from the infection should stay at home and avoid contacting other children until they have recovered.

(Xinhua News Agency June 4, 2008)