Avian Flu Diary: Hong Kong Orders Nearly 200 Kindergarten & Child Care Centers Closed Over Flu

HK Flu Express Epi Week 2

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Yesterday morning, in Hong Kong's Flu Express Wk 2: A Rapid Increase In Institutional Outbreaks, we looked at the recent spike in influenza A outbreaks in Hong Kong's schools, and discussed the possibility of seeing school closures ordered in the days ahead.

Yesterday Hong Kong's government convened an interdepartmental meeting and after reviewing the situation, issued the following letter:

Alert on Further Increase in Seasonal Influenza Activity in Hong Kong

(EXCERPT)

So far, a total of 124 adult severe influenza cases (including 50 deaths) have been recorded in this season (as of January 17). Of note, 37% of the adult severe cases affected persons aged 50-64 years, which was higher than 15% in the 2017 summer season predominated by influenza A(H3) and 20% in the 2017/18 winter season predominated by influenza B.

Nonetheless, most of the deaths (86%) still affected elderly aged 65 years or above. For children, ten cases of paediatric influenza-associated severe complication have been recorded in thisseason (as of January 18, 5 pm).

In view of the sharp increase in the number of ILI outbreaks in KG/CCC in the past two weeks and the extraordinary high influenza-associated admission rate among children aged less than 6 years in public hospitals, the Government has convened an interdepartmental meeting yesterday to review the latest situation.

The Government has recommended an enhanced measure that all KG/CCC with an ILI outbreak will be closed for a period of seven days to interrupt influenza transmission within the affected schools. Young children may not have the ability to observe strict personal and hand hygiene and they are prone to influenza infection and its complications.

This additional measure is expected to reduce the risk of acquiring influenza infection in school settings. The Government will review the situation before the end of the Chinese New year holiday to see if this
measure needs to be extended.

(Continue . . . )

You'll find an English language media report in the South China Morning Post (SCMP) summarizing the decision.

191 Hong Kong kindergartens and childcare centres told to shut for a week after outbreaks of flu

Centre for Health Protection recommends 20 per cent of such facilities in the city close for seven days