The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (March 31) investigating an outbreak of upper respiratory tract infection in a kindergarten in Kowloon City, and appealed to the public to stay alert and maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene.

     The 20 affected children, 11 boys and nine girls aged from 3 to 5, have developed fever, cough and runny nose since March 21. All sought medical attention and one of them has been discharged upon hospitalisation. All of them have been in stable condition.
 
     The nasopharyngeal swab collected from the admitted child tested positive for human metapneumovirus (hMPV) upon laboratory testing.

     Officers of the CHP have conducted a site visit to the school and advised the management to adopt necessary infection control measures against respiratory tract infection. The school has been put under medical surveillance.
 
     A CHP spokesman said hMPV can cause acute respiratory tract infections in all ages. 

     "Persons with hMPV infection can present with symptoms of varying severity, such as fever, cough, difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath. Some children may also present with otitis media, diarrhoea, vomiting, rash and febrile convulsion. In adults, hMPV usually causes mild disease characterised by cough, hoarseness, runny nose and sputum production," the spokesman said.

     The public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against 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;
• High-risk individuals may consider putting on surgical masks when staying in crowded or poorly ventilated public places; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

     The public may visit the CHP's hMPV page for more information.

Ends/Friday, March 31, 2017
Issued at HKT 18:00

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