Hong Kong primary school suspends some classes after hand, foot, and mouth disease outbreak leaves boy in critical condition and sickens 8 others
- Po Leung Kuk Fong Wong Kam Chuen Primary School in Tuen Mun halts Primary Five and Six classes for two weeks after signs of disease spreading
A primary school in Hong Kong on Wednesday said it would suspend some classes for two weeks after an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) infected nine pupils including an 11-year-old boy who was in a critical condition in hospital.
Po Leung Kuk Fong Wong Kam Chuen Primary School in Tuen Mun posted a notice on its website saying Primary Five and Six classes would be suspended from Thursday until November 21 under the advice of the Department of Health.
The suspension was advised because there were signs of the viral disease spreading among these classes, it said. However, classes would continue for other pupils.
The school said it would also suspend or cancel student activities.
The department said on Wednesday night that the 11-year-old boy, of past good health, had suffered a fever, cough and runny nose since October 30. He was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital for treatment on November 3. After having developed convulsions and upper limbs weakness on November 4, the boy was transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit that day.