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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (February 9) investigating two outbreaks of influenza-like illness, and hence reminded members of the public as well as staff of institutions and schools to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against influenza.
The first outbreak involves 20 residents and a member of staff at a residential care home for the elderly (RCHE) in Kowloon City. The affected residents, comprising six men and 14 women aged 65 to 98, developed symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection including fever, cough and sore throat since January 21. Seventeen of the affected residents sought medical attention and seven of them required hospitalisation. The nasopharyngeal swabs taken from six of the affected persons tested positive for influenza A.
The second outbreak involves 19 pupils and a member of staff at a kindergarten in Ma On Shan. The affected pupils, comprising nine boys and 10 girls aged 2 to 5, have developed similar symptoms since January 22. All of them sought medical attention while one who required hospitalisation has been discharged. The nasopharyngeal aspirate taken from the hospitalised pupil tested positive for influenza A (H3).
All affected persons in the outbreaks have been in a stable condition all along.
Officers of the CHP visited the RCHE and kindergarten, and advised the management to adopt measures against respiratory tract infection. The RCHE and kindergarten have been put under medical surveillance.
The public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against influenza and other respiratory illnesses:
* Receive seasonal influenza vaccination for personal protection;
* Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
* When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
* Cover the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
* Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly in a lidded rubbish bin;
* Put on a surgical mask when respiratory symptoms develop;
* Maintain good indoor ventilation;
* When influenza is prevalent, avoid going to crowded or poorly ventilated public places; high-risk individuals may consider putting on surgical masks when staying in such places; and
* Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.
The public may visit the CHP's pages below for more information:
* The influenza page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/14843.html);
* The weekly Flu Express report (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/2108.html);
* The update on severe influenza cases (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/flu_update_en.pdf);
* The vaccination schemes page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/17980.html); and
* The list of participating doctors (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/34664.html).
Ends/Monday, February 9, 2015
Issued at HKT 19:12
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