Hong Kong-Suspected fatal case of enterovirus infection under investigation

12 June 2012 The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a suspected fatal case of enterovirus infection involving a four-year-old boy. The boy, with good past health, developed fever, runny nose and cough since June 9. His condition deteriorated rapidly and was found collapsed in bed in his home in the late evening on June 10. On the same evening, he was brought to the Accident and Emergency Department of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital where he was certified dead in the early morning on June 11. The nasopharyngeal swab and endotracheal tube aspirate taken from the boy tested positive for enterovirus. The boy has no recent travel history. His parents were asymptomatic. He studied in a kindergarten in Chai Wan and there is no recent outbreak of hand, foot, mouth disease in the school. CHP’s investigation continues. The cause of the boy's death is under investigation by the Coroner. This is the first suspected fatal case of enterovirus infection reported to the CHP this year. The CHP recorded one fatal case in each of the year between 2009 and 2011. http://www.chp.gov.hk/en/content/116/25523.html