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A spokesman for the Centre for Heath Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (July 4) reminded people, in particular parents and management of schools and institutions to take stringent infection control measures against respiratory tract infection caused by Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
The appeal was made in view of an increasing number of RSV detections in the past two weeks.
The spokesman said that the peak season for RSV in Hong Kong was usually between March and August.
"Our surveillance indicated that the RSV activity was on the increase," the spokesman said.
He said the baseline RSV detection was less than 20 per week. This year, Hong Kong experienced a brief upsurge in March with the highest detection of 70 in a week.
RSV detections in the past two weeks were again on the rising trend. During the week ending June 28 there were 54 viral detections by the Public Health Laboratory Centre.
Thirteen RSV outbreaks have been reported to the CHP so far this year, affecting a total of 214 people. There were 13 and 30 RSV outbreaks recorded in 2006 and 2007 affecting 185 and 319 people respectively.
"RSV is a common cause of respiratory tract infection. It usually affects elderly people and young children at the age of five or below," the spokesman said.
The disease is spread by direct contact with infectious secretions and can be easily transmitted among individuals in institutional settings.
"The incubation period is one to 10 days and is usually five to seven days. Common symptoms include fever, chills, headache and decreased appetite," he noted.
To prevent respiratory tract infection caused by RSV, people are advised to take the following measures:
* Maintain good personal and environmental hygiene;
* Keep hands clean and wash hands properly;
* Wash hands when they are contaminated by respiratory secretions;
* Cover nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and mouth discharge properly;
* Infected persons should avoid contact with children or those with low body resistance.
Ends/Friday, July 4, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:31
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