(China Daily HK Edition)
Updated: 2008-05-06 07:06

Health chief York Chow warned after attending the opening ceremony of the HA Convention 2008 that EV71 virus infection cases may increase in Hong Kong as the virus season peaks in summer.

EV71 may cause hand, foot and mouth disease especially among young children.

The virus has killed 26 children on the mainland so far.

Chow expressed concern about the increase in EV71 virus infection on the mainland and in Hong Kong's neighboring areas.

There are a few thousand cases each on the mainland, in Taiwan and Singapore, he said.

Although there are only 10 cases in Hong Kong this year so far, health officials are concerned whether the number will increase from May to July when the season peaks.

But Chow said the situation in Hong Kong is not serious.

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) will work with the HA to announce any new cases, he said.

The government will also be monitoring whether there will be an outbreak.

The CHP has advised a kindergarten to close down after a few of its students were diagnosed with EV71 infection and will adopt the same policy in future.

Chow reminded parents and school teachers to ensure that children below the age of six wash their hands regularly.

He also asked the public not to go to places with a high incidence of EV71.