The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for Caritas Medical Centre made the following announcement today (July 26):
Three female paediatric patients and a male paediatric patient aged 33 months to 14 years in a ward of the Developmental Disabilities Unit have been presenting with symptoms compatible with hand, foot and mouth disease including fever, rash or blister since July 19. Appropriate viral tests had been arranged for the patients and their test results were positive for enteroviruses. The patients are in stable condition and are being treated in isolation. A patient care assistant (PCA) has subsequently presented with the symptoms and was diagnosed with hand, foot, and mouth disease. The PCA concerned is currently on leave and is in stable condition.
Enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted according to prevailing guidelines. Droplet and contact precautions, hand hygiene, cleaning and disinfection of the environment and equipment have also been strengthened. The ward concerned has also suspended visiting arrangements.
The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation in the ward concerned. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for follow-up.
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