Press Release

CHP investigates outbreak of upper respiratory tract infection at primary school

30 January 2015

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (January 30) investigating an outbreak of upper respiratory tract infection (URI) at a primary school in Hung Hom, and appealed to members of the public to stay alert and maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene.

The outbreak involves 21 girls aged 6 to 8, who have developed URI symptoms including fever, cough, runny nose and sore throat since January 17. All of the affected students sought medical advice and none of them required hospitalisation. They are currently in stable condition.

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

The public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against influenza and other respiratory illnesses:

• Receive seasonal influenza vaccination for personal protection;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
• Cover the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly in a lidded rubbish bin;
• Put on a surgical mask when respiratory symptoms develop;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• When influenza is prevalent, avoid going to crowded or poorly ventilated public places; high-risk individuals may consider putting on surgical masks when staying in such places; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

The public may visit the CHP's pages below for more information:

• The influenza page (This link will open in a new windowwww.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/14843.html);
• The weekly Flu Express report (This link will open in a new windowwww.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/2108.html);
• The vaccination schemes page (This link will open in a new windowwww.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/17980.html); and
• The list of participating doctors (This link will open in a new windowwww.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/34664.html).