Inquiry launched after boy, 8, falls ill and dies in days
Only son of Sha Tin councillor diagnosed with encephalitis; school asks parents to be on guard
The sudden death of the eight-year-old son of a Sha Tin district councillor has triggered an investigation by the Centre for Health Protection after tests showed he had encephalitis.
Ted Lau, who attended Pui Ching Primary School in Ho Man Tin, fell ill with a fever and vomiting on June 15 and two days later was admitted to Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin. His condition deteriorated and he was transferred to intensive care last Friday but died on Sunday.
A spokesman for the Centre for Health Protection said he was diagnosed with encephalitis, an acute inflammatory disease of the brain. The bacteria , which can cause pneumonia and, in rare cases, encephalitis, was found in his windpipe.
He said an inquiry had been launched and no outbreak of infectious disease had been detected at the school.
The boy was the only son of Lau Wai-lun, who represents the Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong on Sha Tin district council.
An assistant to Lau said last night that doctors had ruled out any link between Ted's illness and the pool at the clubhouse of Metro City in Tseung Kwan O where he went swimming. Doctors had said the boy's immune system may have responded abnormally, the assistant added.
