Vigilance against Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease and Acute Gastroenteritis

Dear parents,

This is the time of the year where we have high incidence of Hand, foot and mouth disease, and acute gastroenteritis around Hong Kong. Students should not come back to school if they develop skin rash, fever, diarrhea or vomiting. May you please also remind students to maintain good personal, food and environmental hygiene, avoid sharing food, clothing and slippers with other students.

Our school is clear from HFMD as far as I’m aware of. But gastric and bowel issues have been significant recently. Simple and easy to digest food, and hydration is particularly important.  

Please also read the following, a selected message from Centre for Health Protection:

HFMD is a viral infection commonly seen in children. The infection can occur throughout the year in Hong Kong but the disease activity usually peaks from May to July. A smaller peak may also occur from October to December. Common symptoms include fever, sore throat and skin rash over the hands and feet. Although the illness is self-limiting in most cases, some cases especially those caused by EV71 may be associated with complications like myocarditis, encephalitis or poliomyelitis-like paralysis.

AGE is usually caused by norovirus or rotavirus infection. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fever and malaise. These viruses can be transmitted by consumption of contaminated food, contact with the vomitus or excreta of the infected persons, contaminated objects and aerosol spread with contaminated droplets of splashed vomitus. They are highly infectious and may result in outbreaks that are difficult to control. AGE outbreaks may occur throughout the year but are known to occur more frequently in winter months.

Thank you!

Ms Tracy TSO

KGV School Nurse