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A spokesman for the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health said today (September 10) that the CHP is investigating an outbreak of respiratory tract infection affecting 13 children and 8 staff members of a special school in Tai Po.
The 7 males and 14 females developed symptoms of respiratory tract infection, including fever, cough, running nose and sore throat, between September 4 and 9.
11 of the victims attended private doctors or government out-patient clinics for treatment. Two others were admitted to Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital and they are now in stable condition. Respiratory samples of one of the hospitalised children yielded positive results for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
CHP officials have made a field visit to the school and provided health instructions to the school management. Investigation is on-going.
The spokesman said that RSV is spread by direct contact with infectious secretions and can be easily transmitted among individuals in institutional settings.
"The incubation period is 1 to 10 days and is usually 5 to 7 days. Common symptoms include fever, chills, headache and decreased appetite," he noted.
To prevent respiratory tract infection caused by RSV, members of the public 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 discharges properly;
* Infected persons should avoid contact with children or those with low body resistance.
Ends/Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:46
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