Flu cases not serious, says minister
Recent outbreaks of influenza at several schools have not been serious and there was no need to close schools throughout Hong Kong, the health minister said yesterday.
'Although some schools reported 10 or even 30 influenza cases, most outbreaks only involved three or more students, which was not too worrying for schools that have hundreds of students,' Secretary for Food and Health York Chow Yat-ngok said.
Schools had become more aware and cautious about flu outbreaks after the deaths last year of three children who had flu-like symptoms.
Fewer people were admitted to hospitals with the flu this year and there were also fewer patients who developed serious complications.
On Tuesday, 28 schools and institutions reported outbreaks of influenza-like illnesses, which affected 209 students. Classes at Pui Kiu College Primary Section in Sha Tin, which reported 22 flu cases, were suspended until next Wednesday for disinfection. One of its pupils, a seven-year-old girl, who was admitted to Prince of Wales Hospital and tested positive for influenza A, has now been discharged. So far four schools have been shut, each for a week, for disinfection this month. They reported more than 120 influenza cases.
Meanwhile, the government has received more than 100,000 applications for subsidised flu shots, according to a written statement from Dr Chow to the Legislative Council. The government estimated that about 300,000 children aged between six months and six years were eligible to receive an HK$80 subsidy per flu shot until the end of next month.
