The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (February 22) urged schools, parents and students to heighten vigilance and to adopt strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent the spread of seasonal influenza in schools as social contacts among students in schools will increase when school resumes after the Lunar New Year holiday.
 
     A spokesman for the CHP said, "As schools are collective assembly places, infectious diseases such as influenza could be easily spread among people through their daily contacts. The CHP issued letters to schools, kindergartens and child care centres again earlier this week to remind them for continued vigilance and reinforcement of preventive measures when school resumes to mitigate the impact of seasonal influenza."

     As a reminder, the spokesman said, "To prevent outbreaks of influenza and other respiratory infections, it is of prime importance that children with fever, regardless of the presence of respiratory symptoms, should not be allowed to attend school. They should seek medical advice and avoid school till 48 hours after the fever has subsided. During the influenza season, schools should actively measure and record students' body temperature every day.

     "Schools are also reminded to follow the Guidelines on Prevention of Communicable Diseases on preventive and control measures as well as management of outbreaks. If an outbreak is suspected, schools should immediately report it to the CHP for prompt follow-up."
 
     According to the latest surveillance data of the CHP, the overall seasonal influenza activity in Hong Kong has remained at a high level in the past few weeks though it was not on an overall increasing trend. It is anticipated that the seasonal influenza activity will stay at a high level for some time.
 
     The spokesman said, "The weekly positive percentage of seasonal influenza viruses among respiratory specimens received by the CHP ranged between 24.28 per cent and 26.95 per cent in the past four weeks. Thus far, the circulating influenza viruses were predominantly influenza B."

     Meanwhile, the CHP recorded a significant drop in institutional influenza-like illness outbreaks since the break for the Lunar New Year holiday, from 115 cases (affecting 625 persons) in the week ending February 3 to 28 cases (affecting 151 persons) in the week ending February 17.
      
     As for children (aged under 18), 15 severe cases (two deaths) were reported this year as at 11am today. Among the cases, 14 (93 per cent) did not receive seasonal influenza vaccination for the current season.
 
     The CHP again urged the public to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene for protection 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 as an effective alternative;
• Wash or clean hands frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, or after touching public installations such as handrails or door knobs;
• 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;
• 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.

     For more information, please visit the CHP's influenza page and weekly Flu Express.

Ends/Thursday, February 22, 2018
Issued at HKT 11:36

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