The Center for Health Protection of Hong Kong on Friday confirmed a case of Enterovirus-71 (EV71) infection involving a 2-year-old boy and urged the public to be vigilant against the disease.

A spokesman said the boy had presented on Wednesday with oral ulcers, rash over hands and feet, fever, cough and also a runny nose. He sought medical treatment from a private doctor and did not require hospitalization. He is in stable condition.

The boy's family contacts had no symptoms of Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease (HFMD).

Nine other children of the nursery the boy attended also developed HFMD symptoms. CHP had advised the institution to conduct thorough disinfection to prevent the spread of the disease.

This is the seventh case reported to the Center for Health Protection of Hong Kong this year. There were 16 cases of EV71 in 2006, 12 in 2007 and 98 in 2008 respectively.

(Xinhua News Agency March 29, 2009)