***************************************************

A spokesman for the Department of Health (DH) today (August 30) reminded parents and students to take precautionary measures to prevent respiratory tract infections, including SARS in view of the approach of the new school year.

The spokesman said personal hygiene was of primary importance in preventing infectious diseases. Parents should take the temperature of their children daily before they go to school and the temperature record sheets should be shown to the school.

"If a student has a fever or is not feeling well, he/she should wear a mask, seek medical advice, and refrain from going to school.

"Students should wash their hands before meals and after sneezing, coughing or cleaning their noses. They should also avoid sharing towels or sharing utensils at meal times," the spokesman said.

He reiterated that students should wear masks when they have mild symptoms of respiratory tract infection so as to prevent the chance of spreading illness.

End/Saturday, August 30, 2003

NNNN