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Press Release

CHP investigates outbreak of upper respiratory tract infection in child care centre

19 December 2014

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (December 19) investigating an outbreak of upper respiratory tract infection (URI) in a residential child care centre (RCCC) in Wan Chai, and appealed to members of the public to stay alert and maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene.

The outbreak involves 20 children, 10 boys and 10 girls aged between 7 months and 3 years old, who have developed URI symptoms including fever, cough and runny nose since November 25. All of the affected children sought medical attention while three of them were hospitalised for further management.

The respiratory specimens of those three children tested positive for adenovirus upon laboratory testing. All the affected children are now in stable condition.

Officers of the CHP inspected the RCCC and provided preventive advice against URI. The RCCC has been placed under medical surveillance.

Adenoviruses are a group of viruses which infect the mucus membranes. Depending on the type of virus, they may cause respiratory illnesses, but also diarrhoea, eye infections and rashes. Infections can occur all year round. Young children, the elderly and immunocompromised patients are more susceptible.

"The infection mainly spreads through air droplets, direct contact of the oro-nasal secretions of patients, or ingestion of contaminated food or water, and may cause outbreaks of acute respiratory or eye infections in institutional settings such as schools and hospitals," a spokesman for the CHP said.

To prevent adenovirus infections, the public should take heed of the measures below:

The public may visit the CHP's page on adenovirus infection (This link will open in a new windowwww.chp.gov.hk/en/content/9/24/13464.html) for more information.



Last Revision Date : 19 December 2014