DH advises a secondary school to suspend classes

10 Jun 2009

The Department of Health (DH) today (June 10) advised a secondary school in Causeway Bay to suspend classes for two weeks starting tomorrow (June 11) to stop the possible spread of human swine influenza (Influenza A H1N1) in the school.

The advice was made following the confirmation of the 49th case of human swine influenza in Hong Kong involving a 16-year-old girl, a DH spokesman said.

The girl is one of the students affected in an influenza-like-illness outbreak in the St Paul's Convent School reported to DH on June 9.

A throat swab taken from the girl was tested positive to swine influenza today. She has been taken to Princess Margaret Hospital for isolation.

A total of 12 students, including the 16-year-old girl, were found to have developed respiratory symptoms.

The patient lives with her mother, a younger brother and a domestic helper in Whampoa Garden, Hung Hom. The girl developed fever and sore throat in the afternoon of June 7 and cough on June 8. She sought outpatient medical treatment at a private hospital.

DH's investigation showed that her brother had onset of fever and cough on May 30. He consulted a private doctor and recovered on June 4. Her mother also reported to have fever today.

Meanwhile, the girl's mother, brother, and all the affected students with respiratory symptoms have been admitted to public hospitals for isolation.

The domestic helper is asymptomatic.

Investigation into the case is ongoing.

The spokesman called on parents to pay attention to the health condition of their children, and to remind them to observe good personal and environmental hygiene.