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The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, said today (March 6) that the Government has been closely monitoring and controlling the influenza situation in Hong Kong since the arrival of the influenza season.
Dr Chow said the Government would also adopt every necessary measure to prevent and control the spread of influenza.
"The Government has a tight and comprehensive monitoring mechanism, and started its influenza preventive work since as early as the end of last year. So far, some 275,000 people in need or with high risk have received influenza vaccinations provided by the Government.
"In the past few weeks, the Department of Health (DH), the Hospital Authority and I have paid close attention to the latest situation in seasonal influenza. The public have also been informed of the latest developments through various means.
"Although up till now, the peak season of seasonal influenza this year was similar to that of previous years, the Government will stay alert and ensure its preventive and control measures are well in place," Dr Chow said.
While there was no cause for the public to be over-worried, Dr Chow appealed to them to co-operate with the Government's prevention and control efforts, for example, to prevent influenza during the peak season by having a proper diet, adequate rest and regular exercise. Parents should pay attention to the health of their children who should take more rest and not go to school if they have influenza.
Ends/Thursday, March 6, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:21
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