The education authorities of Hong Kong announced here Wednesday that all primary schools and kindergartens that had been closed amid seasonal flu outbreak in the city will reopen next Monday.
"The decision was made after the number of flu-infected children dropped and no change has been found in the genes of the flu virus," said Michael Suen, secretary for Education of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, at a press conference here.
The number of flu cases dropped over the Easter holidays and the center had found no genetic changes of the flu virus, said Thomas Tsang, controller of Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection.
"The number of children being admitted to hospital with flu- related complications in the recent weeks is about the same as in past years. Therefore the center believed it is appropriate for schools to resume classes," he said.
Noting the flu season is still at its peak, Tsang expected there will be a few reports of minor flu outbreaks in schools after classes resume.
He noted the expert group that is probing the deaths of three children who had flu-like symptoms is drafting a report and results will be announced later.
When asked whether children under 12 will be given free flu vaccines, the controller said the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Disease is studying the issue.
"The Government, schools and parents should stay alert to influenza after resumption of classes as we are still in the peak season," said York Chow, secretary for Food and Health.
The Government will continue to monitor the latest influenza situation, he said, adding that it will also issue guidelines to advise schools on the circumstances under which they should report flu outbreaks to the Center for Health Protection of the Department of Health.
He reminded the public that if they fell ill, they should rest properly and should not go to school or work in order to recover quickly and to avoid spreading the disease to other people.
Before class resumption, schools must thoroughly clean and disinfect their campus and provide clear flu information to staff and parents, said Suen.
When classes resume, schools should take prevention measures, observe the health condition of students and staff recovering from flu, and keep sick leave records, said the education secretary.
On future class-suspension arrangements, Suen said the Education Bureau will assess the situation with the Department of Health if an individual district or neighboring region has a cluster of serious flu cases.
If flu outbreaks are detected in individual schools, the bureau will assess the situation with the health department to determine whether those schools should suspend classes.
Parents and schools will be given adequate prior notice, he said, adding class-suspension announcements will be made in the morning.
On the night of March 12, Hong Kong government announced the closure of all primary schools, special schools and kindergartens in the city for two weeks due to seasonal flu outbreaks.
(Xinhua News Agency March 26, 2008)