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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 23) called on members of the public and management of institutions to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent upper respiratory tract infection (URI).
The appeal was made following CHP's investigation into two reports of URI outbreaks in a nursery school and a home for the elderly.
The first case affected 28 children aged between one and five in a nursery in Wong Tai Sin. They developed symptoms of URI, including fever, cough, runny nose and sore throat between June 3 and 20. Of them, a three-year-old boy was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital and was discharged. Other affected children consulted general practitioners or out-patient clinics and are now in stable condition.
In the second case, 19 residents and two staff members aged between 40 and 97 were affected in an elderly home in Sham Shui Po. They presented with URI symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose and sore throat from June 13 to 21. Two of them were admitted to Caritas Medical Centre while others consulted general practitioners or out-patient clinics. All of them are in stable condition.
Staff of the CHP have conducted field visit to these institutions and provided health instructions to their staff. CHP will continue to closely monitor the institution.
To prevent upper respiratory tract infection and influenza, the public are advised to adopt the following measures:
* Build up good body immunity by having a proper diet, regular exercise and adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking;
* Maintain good personal hygiene, wash hands after sneezing or coughing and wear a mask when developing symptoms of respiratory infections;
* Maintain good ventilation; and
* Avoid visiting crowded places with poor ventilation, especially during peak influenza season.
Members of the public, particularly children, elderly people and those with chronic diseases, should wear face masks and consult their doctors for medical advice promptly if they develop symptoms of respiratory tract infection.
More information on the disease is available on the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk).
Ends/Monday, June 23, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:30
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