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Hong Kong, Vigilance against communicable diseases in new school year (August 29 2011)
[Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, full text: (LINK).]
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Vigilance against communicable diseases in new school year
29 August 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 that, based on experience from the past few years, 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, the 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 have been active in the community recently.
"The activity of RSV has been increasing, with the number of isolates reported rising from 45 in the week ending July 23 to 114 in the week ending August 20.
"RSV outbreaks are usually more common in July to September and the recent increase is compatible with the seasonality pattern in the past," the spokesman said.
As for HFMD and Enterovirus 71 (EV71), the overall disease activity this year has remained at a relatively high level, although it has been lower than it was during 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 periods in 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 outbreaks of scarlet fever, at the CHP website.
The spokesman said that the CHP has collaborated with public and private hospitals to enhance surveillance for serious cases of severe scarlet fever and Group A Streptococcus infection since this June. As schools will soon resume, the 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 on 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 to the CHP website (www.chp.gov.hk).
-29 August 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 that, based on experience from the past few years, 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, the 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 have been active in the community recently.
"The activity of RSV has been increasing, with the number of isolates reported rising from 45 in the week ending July 23 to 114 in the week ending August 20.
"RSV outbreaks are usually more common in July to September and the recent increase is compatible with the seasonality pattern in the past," the spokesman said.
As for HFMD and Enterovirus 71 (EV71), the overall disease activity this year has remained at a relatively high level, although it has been lower than it was during 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 periods in 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 outbreaks of scarlet fever, at the CHP website.
The spokesman said that the CHP has collaborated with public and private hospitals to enhance surveillance for serious cases of severe scarlet fever and Group A Streptococcus infection since this June. As schools will soon resume, the 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 on 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 to the CHP website (www.chp.gov.hk).
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