Fifth disease outbreak probed

July 16, 2012

The Centre for Health Protection is investigating in an outbreak of fifth disease, caused by a virus that leads to a rash on the cheeks, arms, and legs, at a kindergarten and childcare centre in Yuen Long, affecting 25 people.
 
Fifth disease is a mild illness that occurs mostly in children, preceded by a few days of low-grade fever and tiredness. A typical rash occurs on the face, and usually disappears in seven to 10 days.
 
Ten girls and 11 boys, aged 3 to 6, and four staff members came down with the disease since May 27.
 
None of them required hospitalisation. All remained in stable condition. The blood sample of one affected student tested positive for antibodies against parvovirus, a cause of fifth disease.
 
Centre staff have visited the institution and provided health advice to the management.