Outbreak of respiratory tract infection in a child residential home

3 Jul 2008

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating an outbreak of respiratory tract infection affecting 20 children of a childhood residential care home in Causeway Bay.

A CHP spokesman said today (July 3) that the affected children, comprising eight boys and 12 girls aged from six months to three years old, had developed symptoms of respiratory tract infection, including fever, cough and sore throat, between June 18 and July 2.

Eleven children consulted private doctors or out-patient clinics while four of them were admitted to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital. Respiratory samples of one of the hospitalised children yielded positive result to Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).

CHP officials have conducted field visits to the hostel and provided health instructions to staff. 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 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, 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 discharge properly;
* Infected persons should avoid contact with children or those with low body resistance.