The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (October 5) investigating five outbreaks of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), and appeals to members of the public and staff of institutions to stay alert and maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene.
Details of the outbreaks are listed in the table below:
| Type of school (District) | Number of people affected and details of medical attention | Earliest onset date | Symptoms | Date of issuing CTN |
| Case 1: Kindergarten (Kwun Tong District) | 11 boys and 8 girls (aged 3 to 5) and 1 staff member; 11 sought medical attention; all are in stable condition and none required hospitalisation | September 10 | Cough, sore throat, runny nose and fever | September 15 |
| Case 2: Kindergarten (Sha Tin District) | 9 boys and 12 girls (aged 3 to 5); 15 sought medical attention; all are in stable condition and one required hospitalisation | September 19 | Cough, sore throat, runny nose and fever | September 20 |
| Case 3: Kindergarten (Kowloon City District) | 14 boys and 6 girls (aged 3 to 5); all are in stable condition and none required hospitalisation | September 27 | Cough and runny nose | September 28 |
| Case 4: Kindergarten (Kowloon City District) | 7 boys and 12 girls (aged 3 to 5) and 1 staff member; 13 sought medical attention; all are in stable condition and none required hospitalisation | September 9 | Cough, runny nose and fever | September 13 |
| Case 5: Kindergarten (Sham Shui Po District) |
12 boys and 7 girls (aged 2 to 5) and 1 staff member; 7 sought medical attention; all are in stable condition and none required hospitalisation | September 20 | Cough, sore throat, runny nose and fever | September 21 |
Officers of the CHP have advised the kindergartens to adopt necessary infection control measures against respiratory infections. They have been put under medical surveillance. In addition, since the symptoms of URTI are similar to those of COVID-19, for prudence's sake, the above kindergartens were covered in the compulsory testing notices (CTNs) earlier, to exclude the possibility of COVID-19 infection. The kindergartens had suspended teaching activities for at least five days as required for cleaning and executing the CTN.
The public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against influenza and other respiratory illnesses and note the following:
- Receive seasonal influenza vaccination for personal protection;
- Surgical masks can prevent transmission of respiratory viruses from ill persons. It is essential for persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) to wear a surgical mask;
- Wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
- Avoid touching one's eyes, mouth and nose;
- 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 with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
- Maintain good indoor ventilation;
- When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending classes at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly; and
- Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.
Members of the public, particularly children, the elderly and those with chronic diseases, should wear a face mask and consult a doctor promptly if they develop symptoms of respiratory tract infection.
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