Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ17: On guard against Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease and EV-71 infections
Following is a question by the Hon Frederick Fung and a written
reply by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, in the
Legislative Council today (May 21):
Question:
As reported, an epidemic of enteroviral infections among young
children has swept through a number of mainland cities in recent months,
resulting in several thousand hospital admissions and dozens of deaths so
far. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether it has grasped the latest information about the epidemic on
the Mainland, including the types of viral strains found in such cases in
various places, the transmission mode of the disease, the mutation of the
virus, etc., and whether it has, based on the relevant information,
assessed the risk of an outbreak of an epidemic of enteroviral infections
in Hong Kong; if it has, of the results; if not, the reasons for that;
(b) of the number of enteroviral illness cases found in Hong Kong in
recent months; whether it has analysed the transmission mode for such
cases and the trend of infections, as well as compared them with the
epidemic on the Mainland; if so, of the results of analysis; and
(c) of the specific measures to prevent a local outbreak of an epidemic of
enteroviral infections, for example, whether it will strengthen monitoring
and raise the hygiene levels in high-risk places such as child care
centres and kindergartens, and expeditiously disseminate information about
the epidemic to members of the public?
Reply:
Madam President,
The Government is on guard against Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease (HFMD) and
Enterovirus (EV-71) infections and is implementing comprehensive
preventive, control and surveillance measures to protect public health.
In view of recent upsurge in HFMD and EV-71 infections in some parts of
the Mainland and neighbouring regions including Taiwan and Singapore, Hong
Kong should remain vigilant. Our reply to the various parts of the
question is as follows-
(a) The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health
(DH) has already put in place a surveillance system to closely monitor
HFMD and EV-71 infections in Hong Kong and neighbouring regions. The
surveillance system includes outbreak notification, laboratory
surveillance and sentinel surveillance at specific clinics and child care
centres. In addition, the CHP has maintained close liaison with the
Ministry of Health and the health authorities of Guangdong Province and
Macao through an established mechanism. A point-to-point instant
communication mechanism has also been set up among the three places to
facilitate timely exchange of information about any sudden upsurge in
infectious diseases of unknown nature or of public health significance.
In response to the recent situation of HFMD and EV-71 infections in the
Mainland, the CHP has maintained good communication with the Ministry of
Health and the health authorities of neighbouring places to keep track of
the latest development.
HFMD is caused by viruses. It is transmitted by direct contact with
nasal and throat discharges, saliva, erupted blisters, or the stool of
infected persons. In Hong Kong, Coxsackie A virus is the most common
causative agent for HFMD, causing about 75% of HFMD outbreaks. EV-71
virus is another causative agent for HFMD and associated with some 20% of
HFMD outbreaks in Hong Kong.
HFMD occurs in Hong Kong throughout the year and the peak is usually
in summer time, particularly between May and August. The surveillance
figures of the CHP indicate that there has been an increase in HFMD cases
in recent months. According to surveillance figures reported in April,
the consultation rate for HFMD cases among sentinel private doctors ranged
from 1.3 to 1.9 cases per 1 000 consultations, which was higher than that
reported in March (ranged from 0.5 to 1.5 cases per 1 000 consultations).
(b) From January 1 to May 19, 2008, a total of 22 cases of EV-71
infections were recorded in Hong Kong. The figure is higher than that
recorded in the corresponding period in previous years. Details are as
follows:
Number of EV-71 cases in Hong Kong in recent years
Year Number of cases Number of
fatal cases
2004 35
0
2005 8
0
2006 16
0
2007 12
0
2008
(as at May 19) 22
0
So far this year, the Mainland has recorded over 41 000 HFMD cases.
Most occurred in Anhui Province, Guangdong Province, Jiangsu Province,
Shanghai Municipality, Henan Province, Zhejiang Province, etc. The mode of
transmission of HFMD in the Mainland is similar to that in Hong Kong, i.e.
usually through droplets and contact with erupted blisters or the stool of
infected persons.
(c) For effective prevention and control of EV-71 infections and HFMD,
there must be close collaboration among the Government, the healthcare
sector, schools, institutions and parents to reinforce personal and
environmental hygiene measures. It is also important to detect the disease
at an early stage, to make prompt diagnosis and to closely monitor for
outbreaks and swiftly adopt infection control measures.
The CHP has been working closely with the Hospital Authority and
private hospitals to conduct surveillance on children with severe
complications caused by Enterovirus since May 9.
The CHP may consider advising affected schools, child care centres or
kindergartens to suspend classes for thorough cleansing and disinfection
for a period of 14 days when situation warrants. The DH and related
departments have briefed the management of schools and nurseries as well
as parents on the latest development about EV-71 and HFMD and the
preventive measures through health talks, letters, posters and leaflets.
In addition, the CHP has issued guidelines on clinical diagnosis and
management of EV-71 infections and HFMD to doctors to facilitate
appropriate clinical treatments. The DH will also distribute pamphlets
about HFMD to travellers at immigration checkpoints and provide the
tourist industry with the latest information.
Timely risk communication can enhance understanding of the disease and
raise the awareness among the general public. In this connection, the CHP
has since May 9 uploaded onto its website (www.chp.gov.hk)
a daily report on the latest development of EV-71 and HFMD in Hong Kong
and neighbouring regions. Besides, publicity through television and radio
will also be intensified to increase public alertness.
Ends/Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Issued at HKT 13:09
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