Society

HFMD cases rise, no need to close all schools in HK

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-05-29 17:33

HONG KONG -?The hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) case continues to rise in Hong Kong and the total cases for this year are set to be higher than previous years, but currently there is no need to close all schools, HK's health chief said Saturday.

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Hong Kong's Secretary for Food and Health York Chow said the health department is closely monitoring the HFMD situation in Hong Kong, while urging local residents to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent the disease.

On Friday, chief of HK's Center for Health Protection under the Food and Health Department Thomas Tsang said Hong Kong has entered the peak season of the hand-foot-mouth disease and the number of cases and outbreaks would remain high level in the coming two months with sporadic serious cases.

Tsang said gene tests had been conducted and there was no substantial genetic change in the virus.