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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (January 18) investigating an influenza outbreak at a kindergarten cum child care centre in Tuen Mun affecting 20 students. The CHP reminded members of the public to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene to protect against influenza.
The affected students, 13 boys and seven girls aged 2 to 6, had developed fever, cough and sore throat since January 6.
All of the affected students sought medical consultation and two of them required hospitalisation. All are now in stable condition.
The nasopharyngeal swab of one hospitalised student tested positive for Influenza A(H1) upon testing by the hospital.
Officers of the CHP have visited the kindergarten cum child care centre and advised the management to adopt measures to prevent respiratory tract infection. The kindergarten cum child care centre has been put under medical surveillance.
The public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene to protect against influenza and other respiratory illnesses:
* Receive seasonal influenza vaccination for personal protection;
* Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
* When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
* Cover the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
* Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly in a lidded rubbish bin;
* Put on a surgical mask when respiratory symptoms develop;
* Maintain good indoor ventilation;
* When influenza is prevalent, avoid going to crowded or poorly ventilated public places; high-risk individuals may consider putting on surgical masks when staying in such places; and
* Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.
The public may visit the CHP's pages below for more information:
* The influenza page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/14843.html);
* The weekly Flu Express report (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/2108.html); and
* The vaccination schemes page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/17980.html).
Ends/Monday, January 18, 2016
Issued at HKT 18:51
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