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The Education and Manpower Bureau (EMB) today (January 29) reminded schools, parents and students to continue to implement precautionary measures against communicable diseases on the return to classes after the Chinese New Year Holiday.

"As classes are about to resume after the week-long school holiday, we would like to advise all stakeholders to remain vigilant and take appropriate measures to prevent communicable diseases, particularly the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and avian influenza," an EMB spokesman said.

"In view of the recent SARS cases in Guangzhou, schools should require parents to report details if their children have visited the Guangdong region during the holidays. In so doing, schools can take extra care of these children if necessary.

"Parents are reminded to take their children's temperature daily before sending them to school. If a student has a fever or is not feeling well, he or she should be taken to a doctor and kept at home.

"Schools must also check students' temperature-taking records and should make random spot checks on students' temperature whenever they enter the school premises as a safeguard," he said.

For details on the prevention of SARS, schools can visit the EMB website (www.emb.gov.hk/ednewhp/resource/APneumonia/English/APheadline.htm).

"With the confirmed human cases of avian influenza in our neighbouring countries, schools must take the initiative to maintain good environmental hygiene and ventilation, and staff and students should practise good personal hygiene," the spokesman added.

Schools are advised to adhere to the Health Advice on the Prevention of Influenza issued by the Department of Health. School authorities, staff and students should note the following advice:

* Refrain from keeping live birds in school where possible;

* Establish barriers to prevent children from touching live birds;

* Avoid organising activities that may expose children to live birds;

* Do not touch live birds, poultry and their excreta (wash hands with soap and water immediately after contact with live birds or surfaces contaminated by bird droppings);

* Cover nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing and wash hands with soap and water afterwards;

* Keep hands clean and wash hands properly, use liquid soap for hand washing and disposable towels for drying hands, do not share towels;

* Clean toys and furniture properly;

* Maintain good ventilation; and

* If any students/staff develop respiratory symptoms, they should consult their doctor promptly, wear a surgical mask, and stay at home as advised by their doctor.

For general information on the prevention of communicable diseases in school settings, please refer to the Guidelines on Prevention of Communicable Diseases in Child Care Centres / Kindergartens / Schools (www.info.gov.hk/dh/diseases/index.htm).

"Should an unusual pattern of illnesses/sick leave among students be noticed, schools should notify the Regional Offices of the Department of Health as well as the respective District School Development Section of the EMB," the spokesman said.

Ends/Thursday, January 29, 2004

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