27 August 2010
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) reminded schools to stay vigilant and put in place various hygienic and preventive measures against communicable diseases as the new school year approaches.
A CHP spokesman said that more outbreaks of influenza, hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) and other infectious disease were anticipated as schools resume next week.
“Most recent surveillance data showed that Hong Kong is still in the summer influenza season. There has been an increase in local influenza activity since early July. The number of influenza isolates detected by CHP's Public Health Laboratory Centre also saw a rise in the past few weeks,” he said.
For the fortnight ending August 21, more than 300 influenza detections were recorded every week, compared with 198 influenza detections for the week ending August 7.
“The main circulating influenza viruses detected recently are human swine influenza, seasonal influenza A (H3N2) and seasonal influenza B,” the spokesman said.
On the other hand, the activities of HFMD and enterovirus 71 infection have gradually decreased in July and August after the peak in June, but recent consultation rates of HFMD detected by sentinel general practitioners were still higher than that recorded in the corresponding period of the past three years.
“Apart from the traditional summer season, a smaller winter peak of HFMD activity also occurred from October to December in the past few years,” he said.
As of August 26, a total of 607 HFMD outbreaks were reported this year.
The spokesman said that the CHP had liaised with Education Bureau and sent a letter to all schools to facilitate them in preparing for the guard against the spread of various communicable diseases.
"Schools should always maintain a clean and hygienic environment. School premises should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before class commencement," he said.
If a suspected influenza outbreak occurs in school or an increasing trend or unusual
situation in the number of persons taking sick leave due to the same infectious disease or similar symptoms is noticed, schools should report the situation to CHP for early epidemiological investigation and outbreak control.
Schools should refer to the guidelines on prevention of communicable diseases for practical information on preventive measures of common communicable diseases. More information are available on the website of CHP at http://www.chp.gov.hk .