Rhiza Labs FluTracker Forum

Flu outbreaks in new school term expected

Centre for Health Protection Controller Dr Thomas Tsang warns a significant number of flu outbreaks are expected when the new school term begins next week, and the public should also stay vigilant against any possible outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease later this year.

Dr Tsang told the media today Hong Kong is remains in the summer influenza peak season, and the centre has recorded at least 300 isolates of flu virus a week showing the viruses are quite active in the community.

He also expects the number of hand, foot and mouth disease cases will rise next month with the peak season starting in October or November.
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HONG KONG -- HK medical authorities on Thursday advised a kindergarten in Tuen Mun to suspend classes for seven days starting tomorrow as a precautionary measure, after a boy from the kindergarten died from complications of A/H1N1 influenza.

The Center for Health Protection (CHP) said the three-year-old boy from the kindergarten was admitted to the emergency department of Tuen Mun Hospital on September 6. He tested positive for A/H1N1 flu virus then.

The boy was moved to intensive care unit later on the same day and put on ventilation. He was also treated with anti-biotics and Tamiflu. He died late Wednesday.

His mother, who was also confirmed to have been infected with A/ H1N1 flu, was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital on September 8 and is now in stable condition.

The boy's grandmother also had symptoms and was admitted to Baptist Hospital on September 6 and is now in stable condition. Her specimen tested negative for Influenza A.

Medical surveillance by the CHP on Thursday identified two students and a staff member from the same kindergarten developing fever or respiratory symptoms. They are in stable condition and no hospitalization was required.

............The center has received reports of flu outbreaks in 18 schools affecting 78 children since September 1.

One school, SunKids Kindergarten in Tuen Mun, has suspended classes for seven days since last Friday after a three- year-old boy died from human swine flu (H1N1) on September 8.

Most cases involve the H3 flu virus..

ILI and HFMD situation update
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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health received reports of influenza-like illness (ILI) outbreaks in nine schools affecting 48 persons during the three days ending at noon today (September 20).

Reports about hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) outbreaks involving 12 persons in five schools were received during the same period.

The above brought to 32 and 39 the cumulative totals of ILI and HFMD outbreak reports respectively since the start of the new school term in September.

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ILI and HFMD situation update
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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health received reports of influenza-like illness (ILI) outbreak in four schools affecting 25 persons during the three days ending at noon today (September 27).
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ILI and HFMD situation update
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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health received a report of influenza-like illness (ILI) outbreak in one school affecting three persons during the 24 hours ending at noon today (September 29).

Reports about hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) outbreaks involving eight persons in three schools were received during the same period.

The above brought to 51 and 71 the cumulative totals of ILI and HFMD outbreak reports respectively since the start of the new school term in September.

Cluster of Influenza A (H3) cases in Castle Peak Hospital
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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The spokesperson of Castle Peak Hospital (CPH) made the following announcement today (September 30):

Three patients (aged 20 to 52) in a male ward of CPH had presented with fever and upper respiratory tract infection symptoms since September 27. The patients are being treated under isolation with stable condition. Appropriate viral tests had been arranged for the patients and their test results were positive to Influenza A (H3).

Admission to the ward has been suspended. Restricted visits to and discharge from the ward have been imposed. Infection control measures have already been stepped up. Other patients in the ward are under close surveillance.

The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for follow up.

ILI and HFMD situation update
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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health received reports of influenza-like illness (ILI) outbreak in three schools affecting 11 persons during the four days ending at noon today (October 4).
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ILI and HFMD situation update
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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health received reports of influenza-like illness (ILI) outbreak in six schools affecting 30 persons during the 24 hours ending at noon today (October 5).

Reports about hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) outbreaks involving 27 persons in ten schools were received during the same period.

The above brought to 61 and 91 respectively the cumulative totals of ILI and HFMD outbreak reports since the start of the new school term in September.

Schools should refer to the guidelines on prevention of communicable diseases for practical information on preventive measures of common communicable diseases. More information are available on the website of CHP at www.chp.gov.hk.


Ends/Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:31

Public urged to be vigilant against upper respiratory tract infection
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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (October 6) called on the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent upper respiratory tract infection (URI).

The appeal followed the CHP's investigation into a URI outbreak in a secondary school in Tuen Mun involving 20 students aged between 11 and 14 and a staff.

Investigation revealed that the affected persons, comprising six males and 15 females, developed URI symptoms including fever, cough, running nose and sore throat since September 17.

All of the affected are now in stable condition. No hospitalisation was required.

Throat swabs from two affected students were tested negative for influenza A and B by rapid test.
Staff of the CHP had conducted a site visit and provided health advice to the school.