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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (December 3) appealed to members of the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent upper respiratory tract infection (URI).
The appeal followed the CHP's investigation into two URI outbreaks at two kindergartens in Sha Tin District and Wan Chai District.
The outbreak at the kindergarten in Sha Tin involved 21 pupils comprising 13 boys and eight girls aged between 2 and 4. They had developed symptoms of URI including fever, cough, runny nose and sore throat since November 18.
Twenty of the affected pupils sought medical consultation, and one of them was admitted to a private hospital and has been discharged. The nasopharyngeal aspirate of the hospitalised pupil tested positive for adenovirus by the hospital. All pupils are now in stable condition.
The outbreak at the kindergarten in Wan Chai involved 20 pupils comprising 12 boys and eight girls aged between 2 and 5. They had developed symptoms of URI including fever, cough, runny nose and sore throat since November 11.
Nineteen of the affected pupils sought medical consultation. Four of them required hospitalisation and were discharged. All pupils are now in stable condition.
Officers of the CHP conducted site visits and provided preventive advice against URI to the kindergartens, which were placed under medical surveillance.
A CHP spokesman said adenovirus is a group of viruses that commonly cause viral infection in children. The symptoms may vary from respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough and sore throat to gastroenteritis illnesses such as vomiting and diarrhoea. It may also cause conjunctivitis.
"Adenovirus infection is usually transmitted by direct contact with oro-nasal secretions or faecal-oral transmission. It can occur throughout the year," the spokesman said.
Most infections are mild and patients usually require no therapy or only symptomatic treatment, he said. Strict attention to good hygiene practice is effective for preventing adenovirus-associated diseases, he added.
To prevent URI and influenza, the public should take heed of the following advice:
* Build up good body immunity by having a proper diet, regular exercise and adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking;
* Maintain good personal and environmental hygiene and wash hands after sneezing, coughing and cleaning the nose;
* Maintain good ventilation; and
* Avoid visiting crowded places with poor ventilation, especially during peak influenza seasons.
Members of the public, particularly children, the elderly and those with chronic diseases, should wear a face mask and consult a doctor promptly if they develop symptoms of URI.
The public can visit the CHP website (www.chp.gov.hk) for more information on URI.
Ends/Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:33
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