14 Sep 2009
The Department of Health (DH) today (September 14) advised three schools to suspend classes for seven days starting tomorrow to stop the possible spread of human swine influenza and respiratory tract infection in the school.
The advice was made following the outbreaks of human swine influenza (HSI) and influenza-like illness (ILI) in the schools, involving a total of 199 students, a spokesman for the department said.
The school concerned was Mary Rose School, where 34 students, comprising 24 males and 10 females, aged between six and 17 years, developed fever, sore throat, cough and runny nose since September 4.
Investigation revealed that four students were confirmed to have been infected with HSI. One female student, aged 15, required hospitalization and she was in stable condition.
Another school concerned was WF Joseph Lee Primary School in Tin Shui Wai, where 101 students presented with ILI symptoms since September 3.
Of them, 12 were confirmed to have infected with HSI. One was admitted private hospital in stable condition.
Both of the schools were advised to suspend classes for seven days, starting tomorrow, to avoid the possible spread of human swine influenza in the schools.
Meanwhile, Fukien Secondary School Affiliated School in Kwun Tong had an outbreak of ILI, involving 64 students.
A total of 40 boys and 24 girls, aged between nine and 13, developed ILI symptoms including fever, sore throat, runny nose, and cough since September 7.
They sought medical attention and no hospitalization was required. They are in stable condition.
The school was advised to suspend classes, starting tomorrow, to avoid the possible spread of ILI in the school.
The department had visited the schools and advised the staff on infection control measures. They are put under medical surveillance.
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.