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Hong Kong, Public urged to be vigilant against upper respiratory tract infection (March 13 2013): Adenoviral outbreak
[Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, full text: (LINK).]
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Public urged to be vigilant against upper respiratory tract infection
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (March 13) called on the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent upper respiratory tract infection (URI).
The appeal followed the CHP's investigation into a confirmed URI outbreak at a nursery school in North District involving 20 pupils aged between 2 and 5.
Investigation revealed that the affected persons, comprising 11 boys and nine girls, developed URI symptoms including cough, runny nose, sore throat and fever since January 20.
Seventeen of them sought medical consultation and four of them required hospitalisation. They are all in a stable condition.
Nasopharyngeal aspirate samples from two hospitalised students tested positive for adenovirus.
Staff of the CHP conducted a site visit and provided health advice to the school.
A CHP spokesman said adenovirus is a group of viruses that commonly cause viral infection in children. The symptoms may vary from respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough and sore throat, to gastroenteritis illnesses such as vomiting and diarrhoea. It may also cause conjunctivitis.
"Adenovirus infection is usually transmitted by direct contact with oro-nasal secretions or faecal-oral transmission. It can occur throughout the year," the spokesman said.
Most infections are mild and patients usually require no therapy or only symptomatic treatment, he said. Strict attention to good hygiene practices is effective for preventing adenovirus-associated diseases, he added.
To prevent URI and influenza, people are advised to adopt the following measures:
For more information on the disease, people may visit the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk).
Ends/Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:15
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-The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (March 13) called on the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent upper respiratory tract infection (URI).
The appeal followed the CHP's investigation into a confirmed URI outbreak at a nursery school in North District involving 20 pupils aged between 2 and 5.
Investigation revealed that the affected persons, comprising 11 boys and nine girls, developed URI symptoms including cough, runny nose, sore throat and fever since January 20.
Seventeen of them sought medical consultation and four of them required hospitalisation. They are all in a stable condition.
Nasopharyngeal aspirate samples from two hospitalised students tested positive for adenovirus.
Staff of the CHP conducted a site visit and provided health advice to the school.
A CHP spokesman said adenovirus is a group of viruses that commonly cause viral infection in children. The symptoms may vary from respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough and sore throat, to gastroenteritis illnesses such as vomiting and diarrhoea. It may also cause conjunctivitis.
"Adenovirus infection is usually transmitted by direct contact with oro-nasal secretions or faecal-oral transmission. It can occur throughout the year," the spokesman said.
Most infections are mild and patients usually require no therapy or only symptomatic treatment, he said. Strict attention to good hygiene practices is effective for preventing adenovirus-associated diseases, he added.
To prevent URI and influenza, people are advised to adopt the following measures:
- Build up good body immunity by having a proper diet, regular exercise and adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking;
- Maintain good personal and environmental hygiene, and wash hands after sneezing, coughing and cleaning the nose. Wear a mask if developing symptoms of respiratory infection;
- Maintain good ventilation; and
- Avoid visiting crowded places with poor ventilation, especially during peak influenza season.
For more information on the disease, people may visit the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk).
Ends/Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:15
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