The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) has called for schools to improve their flu prevention and monitoring measures after a six-year-old boy’s death.
A press release from the CHP said that the child, who had an unspecified underlying illness, had developed a fever, cough and runny nose on Feb. 24, before showing symptoms of stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. He was admitted to Tseung Kwan O Hospital on Feb. 29 and diagnosed with influenza B and myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscles), but his condition worsened and the boy passed away on March 1.
Following recent news of an upcoming cold spell, the CHP has urged schools to reinforce preventive measures against the flu to diminish its potential impact on pupils and staff alike.
The Centre recommended that schools check all students’ body temperature upon arrival in the morning to identify those with fevers. In order to prevent outbreaks, those with oral temperatures over 37.5 degrees Celsius, or ear temperatures over 38 degrees – either with or without respiratory symptoms – should not be allowed to attend school.
In addition, schools should advise students with fevers to seek medical advice, and stay away from school until 48 hours after their fevers subside.
School staff have also been urged to check their temperature daily before work, and refrain from working if they have fevers or respiratory illnesses.
While the H3N2 virus was more widespread last year, Controller of the CHP Dr. Leung Ting-hung said that H121 is more dominant this year, having been detected in six out of 10 cases of severe paediatric influenza.
The other four instances comprised one case of H3N2, two cases of influenza B, and one pending subtype.
The six-year-old’s death from influenza B is the first paediatric influenza-associated death in 2016. In the last four weeks, 58 percent of flu outbreaks have occurred in primary schools, and 26 percent in kindergartens or child care centres.
Amongst other preemptive measures listed, the CHP’s top recommendation for flu prevention for the public is to receive regular seasonal influenza vaccinations.
Others include:
- Washing hands with liquid soap and water properly in every case of potential contamination
- Cleaning hands with a 70-80 percent alcohol based hand sanitiser when hands are not visibly soiled
- Wash or clean hands frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, or after touching “public installations” like handrails or door knobs
- Cover the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, and washing hands thoroughly afterwards
- Disposing of soiled tissues in a properly lidded rubbish bin
- Wearing a surgical mask when respiratory symptoms develop
- Maintaining good indoor ventilation
- Avoid going to crowded or poorly ventilated public spaces when influenza is prevalent; in the case that a high-risk individual is in such places, they should wear a surgical mask
- Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, refrain from smoking and overstress.
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