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Tests conducted by the Public Health Laboratory Centre under the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health on nasal specimens collected from three students of Caritas Lok Yan School today (January 27) all yielded positive for Rhinovirus, a common cold virus.

This showed that the students who had earlier shown symptoms of influenza-like-illness were suffering from upper respiratory tract infection. Rhinovirus is one of the common viruses causing common cold. Symptoms are mild, which may include runny nose, sneezing and throat irritation, with or without fever. The incubation period ranges from 12 hours to five days, usually around two days. The illness lasts for two to seven days.

The three students (two boys and one girl aged from 8 to 15) developed symptoms of fever, cough, and sore throat between January 19 and 25. Another student, a 14-year-old boy, also developed similar symptoms on January 26. All are in stable condition.

The four staff members of the school who have had fever and mild upper respiratory symptoms, are on sick leave. None of them required hospitalisation.

The CHP is liaising closely with the Hospital Authority in monitoring the situation.

Ends/Thursday, January 27, 2005

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