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Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) outbreak in Hong Kong 香港手足口病感染爆發

(added on 2008/11/07)

©2008 SpatioEpi.com
Data source: Centre for Health Protection, Department of Health, HKSAR.
Map created by CUHK SpatioEpi Group

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The virus EV71 is a common cause of HFMD. According to the Centre for Health Protection, the number of reported HFMD cases in Hong Kong in the first half of 2008 has exceeded the annual total in the past decade. Similar increases have also been reported in some parts of Mainland China and neighbouring regions. Using graduated symbols, the map shows the distribution of HFMD cases recorded in outbreaks during the period from 9 May to 19 June 2008. Occurring mostly in primary schools and nurseries, the outbreaks have affected predominantly children and infants. HFMD is different from an unrelated condition bearing a similar name, the Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), which is another contagious viral disease of cattle and swine.

現時腸病毒71型是引起手足口病的主要致病原。衛生防護中心指出，二零零八年到年中為止，本港手足口病個案已超越過去十年的每年呈報數目，而部分內地和鄰近地區亦有類似上升趨勢。圖示本港五月九日至六月十九日間爆發手足口病院舍所涉及的個案分佈。受影響的大都是小學及幼兒院，而病者大部份是小童和幼兒。由於名稱相似，手足口病經常因混淆而被誤為口蹄症，後者其實是一種在牛和豬中具有高度傳染性的另一病毒感染。

Hand, foot and mouth disease 手足口病

What is Hand, foot and mouth disease? 什麼是手足口病？

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) occurs commonly in infants and children. It is an infection caused by a group of viruses called enteroviruses. Of these Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is a common causative agent, alongside other viruses like Coxsackie virus A. Patients with HFMD present with fever, blister-like eruptions in the mouth and/or a skin rash. Complications arising from HFMD are rare though occasional fatal cases related to EV71 infection have been reported. EV71 infection is associated with a higher incidence of neurological complications including encephalitis.
手足口病是一種常見於幼兒及小童的過濾性病毒感染，通常由腸道病毒所引起。常見的致病原包括腸病毒71型和甲型coxsackie病毒。病者一般出現發燒、口腔呈水疱狀的潰瘍，以及皮疹。手足口病所引起的併發症並不常見，但致命個案偶然發生。腸病毒71型相關手足口病引起的神經系統併發症發病率較高，可以導致腦炎。

How does it spread? 如何傳播？

HFMD is spread from person to person by direct contact with infectious virus. Infectious virus is found in nose and throat secretions, saliva, exudate from blisters, and stool of infected persons.
手足口病的致病病毒是經人傳人，通過直接接觸而傳播。具傳染性的病毒生長於患者的鼻及喉嚨分泌物內、口水、水疱的液體及大便中。

Vaccine? Prevention? 如何預防？

Currently there is no vaccine available for HFMD. Good personal hygiene practices including hand washing can lower the chance of infection. Good environmental hygiene such as cleaning of contaminated surface, toys, soiled items and well ventilated environment can help to reduce the chance of transmission.
現時還未有預防手足口病的疫苗。良好個人衛生習慣如勤洗手能減低感染的機會，而保持環境衛生如徹底清潔被沾污玩具的表面及保持空氣流通亦有助減低手足口病傳播的風險。