29 Aug 2011
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (August 29) called on the public to stay vigilant and take necessary preventive measures against common communicable diseases as the new school year approaches.
A CHP spokesman said, based on experience in the past few years, that a certain number of outbreaks caused by influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), hand- foot-and- mouth disease (HFMD) and other infectious diseases were anticipated when schools resume next week.
He said that while influenza in Hong Kong is usually more common in periods from January to March and from July to August, CHP’s latest data collected through various surveillance systems showed that current influenza activity is staying at baseline level.
On the other hand, RSV and HFMD are active in the community recently.
"The activity of RSV has been increasing, with the number of isolates reported from 45 in week ending July 23 to 114 in week ending August 20.
"RSV outbreaks are usually more common in July to September and the recent increase is compatible with seasonality pattern in the past," the spokesman said.
As for HFMD and Enterovirus 71 (EV71), the overall disease activity this year remained at a relatively high level, although it was lower than the corresponding period in 2010.
Scarlet fever cases have gradually decreased in July and August after the peak in June. The recent activity is, however, still higher than that recorded in the corresponding period of the past years. The CHP has been publishing a daily update on the latest situation on scarlet fever, which includes a list of newly reported institutional/school outbreak of scarlet fever at CHP website.
The spokesman said that the CHP has collaborated with public and private hospitals to enhance surveillance for serious cases of severe SF and Group A Streptococcus infection since this June. As schools will soon resume, CHP has extended the enhanced surveillance system until September 30, 2011.
The spokesman said that the CHP has been working in close collaboration with the Education Bureau and the Social Welfare Department to prepare for health measures. Letters have been sent to schools, child care centres and institutions to update them with the latest situation of communicable diseases and preventive measures.
"Schools should always maintain a clean and hygienic environment. School premises should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before class commencement," he added.
Sick children are advised not to attend school until they recover. The CHP has recently reviewed the recommendation on sick leave duration for communicable diseases. The updated school guidelines have been uploaded on CHP website ( www.chp.gov.hk ).