The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (August 30) reminded schools and parents to take appropriate measures to prevent the spread of various communicable diseases in schools and safeguard students' health.
      
     "Schools are places where children gather to learn and play. Some young children have yet to fully master proper personal hygiene practices, making it easier for communicable diseases to spread through close contact on school campuses. As students return to school, the CHP has sent a letter through the Education Bureau to all schools in Hong Kong, reminding school management to take appropriate measures to reduce the risk of transmission of communicable diseases in schools. I would like to remind the public that Hong Kong is still in the midst of the influenza season. I hope that all schools and parents will actively participate in the 2026/27 Seasonal Influenza Vaccination School Outreach Programme (SIVSOP) and use the Electronic Consent Form via eHealth newly launched this year to complete the consent process early. This will allow schools to plan and arrange seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) activities earlier. If schools do not participate in the SIVSOP, parents should arrange for their children to receive SIV at one of the private clinics enrolled in the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme as soon as possible after the 2026/27 SIV Programme begins," the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.

Respiratory infectious diseases
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     Hong Kong entered the influenza season in late June. So far, 11 cases of severe paediatric influenza infection have been recorded. Eight patients have recovered and been discharged from hospital, two patients remain in critical condition and there was one fatal case. The CHP's latest surveillance data shows that influenza activity level remains high. Due to widespread influenza transmission in the community in recent months, the number of infections has increased significantly, leading to a corresponding rise in severe cases. The CHP expects that influenza will remain active at the beginning of the new school year, and that influenza outbreaks may occur in schools. Therefore, schools and parents must remain vigilant and take preventive measures.
      
     COVID-19 activity level has also been on an upward trend since June, and began to decrease after reaching a peak in early August. The CHP has recorded two severe paediatric cases of COVID-19 infection since June. Neither child had received COVID-19 vaccination. Regarding other respiratory pathogens, the activity level of respiratory syncytial virus has shown a slight upward trend recently, though it remains below the peak levels recorded in recent years.
      
     Vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent seasonal influenza, COVID-19 and their complications. It also reduces the risk of hospitalisation and death. In addition, members of the public should maintain good personal, hand and environmental hygiene to prevent respiratory infections. Students and school staff with respiratory symptoms, even if the symptoms are mild, should wear a surgical mask, refrain from going to work or attending classes, avoid crowded places and seek medical advice promptly. They should also maintain hand hygiene before putting on and after removing a mask. High-risk individuals should wear surgical masks when visiting public places. The general public should also wear surgical masks when taking public transport or staying in crowded places.
 
Mosquito-borne diseases
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     Although mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue fever (DF) and chikungunya fever (CF), are not transmitted from person to person, schools should take measures to strengthen efforts to eliminate stagnant water and prevent mosquito breeding, such as changing water for plants at least once a week, covering all water containers tightly and keeping all drains free from blockage. School management is advised to appoint designated staff to be responsible for mosquito prevention and control on campus. Details are available from the guidelines published by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department.
      
     As of August 27, Hong Kong has recorded a total of 28 DF cases (comprising 26 imported cases and two local cases) as well as two imported CF cases this year.
 
Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD)
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     HFMD is a common disease in children usually caused by enteroviruses, such as coxsackie viruses and enterovirus 71. In Hong Kong, the peak season for HFMD is usually from May to July, with a smaller peak occurring from October to December after the start of the school year. In June and July this year, surveillance data showed that HFMD activity level had increased and remained high. Since mid-August, it has declined to a lower level. When classes resume, close contact among young children in schools and institutions will make the disease easier to spread, and sporadic outbreaks may occur.

     HFMD is mainly transmitted by contact with an infected person's nose or throat discharges, saliva, fluid from vesicles or stool, or after touching contaminated objects. To prevent the spread of HFMD within school settings, affected children should remain at home and refrain from attending school until they have completely recovered.
      
     The CHP reminded schools to implement prevention and control measures, and handle outbreak cases in accordance with the Guidelines on Prevention of Communicable Diseases. If an outbreak is suspected, schools should immediately report it to the CHP for prompt follow-up. Schools may also refer to the CHP's guidelines on CF, DF, seasonal influenza, HFMD and EV71 infection for more information. Information on SIV is available on the CHP's Vaccination Schemes page.

Ends/Sunday, August 30, 2026
Issued at HKT 15:00

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