Giuseppe
Emeritus
[Source: Centre for Health Protection, full text: (LINK).]
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Public urged to be vigilant against upper respiratory tract infection
18 May 2011
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (May 18) 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 URI outbreak in a kindergarten in Fanling involving 21 children aged between 3 and 6.
Investigations revealed that the affected children, comprising nine males and 12 females, developed URI symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat and runny nose since April 26. Four of them were hospitalised - three admitted to Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital and one to Prince of Wales Hospital. All the affected students are in a stable condition.
Nasopharyngeal aspirate specimens from two of the admitted students tested positive for adenovirus.
Staff of the CHP conducted a site visit and provided health advice to the school. The kindergarten was put under medical surveillance.
A CHP spokesman said adenovirus was 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 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. Strict attention to good hygiene practices is effective for preventing adenovirus-associated diseases.
To prevent URI and influenza, the public are advised to adopt the following measures:
For more information on the disease, members of the public may visit the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk).
-18 May 2011
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (May 18) 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 URI outbreak in a kindergarten in Fanling involving 21 children aged between 3 and 6.
Investigations revealed that the affected children, comprising nine males and 12 females, developed URI symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat and runny nose since April 26. Four of them were hospitalised - three admitted to Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital and one to Prince of Wales Hospital. All the affected students are in a stable condition.
Nasopharyngeal aspirate specimens from two of the admitted students tested positive for adenovirus.
Staff of the CHP conducted a site visit and provided health advice to the school. The kindergarten was put under medical surveillance.
A CHP spokesman said adenovirus was 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 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. Strict attention to good hygiene practices is effective for preventing adenovirus-associated diseases.
To prevent URI and influenza, the public 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 when developing symptoms of respiratory infections;
- Maintain good ventilation; and
- Avoid visiting crowded places with poor ventilation, especially during peak influenza season.
For more information on the disease, members of the public may visit the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk).
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