Virus outbreaks hitting Hong Kong schools linked to dropping of mask mandate, paediatrician says

  • Uptick in respiratory syncytial virus and hand, foot and mouth disease cases in community a result of students dropping masks, according to Dr Patrick Ip
  • He reminds parents to make sure children wash hands, get vaccinated, says social activities and exercise should be encouraged

Students, like the rest of Hong Kong, are no longer required to wear masks. Photo: Dickson Lee

Outbreaks of respiratory syncytial virus and hand, foot and mouth disease have plagued Hong Kong schools following the removal of the city’s mask mandate, according to a local paediatrician.

Dr Patrick Ip Pak-keung, from the University of Hong Kong’s paediatrics and adolescent medicine department, on Saturday said children were facing “different challenges” in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Print option is available for subscribers only.
SUBSCRIBE NOW
Copyright © 2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.