HONG Kong yesterday closed all its primary schools, kindergartens and nurseries for two weeks following the deaths of four young children from flu-like symptoms.

The authorities were determined to act decisively as parents’ concern grew with each incident. So far, 184 people – mainly children – at 23 schools have been hit by flu.

Health Department head York Chow Yat-ngok said: “This is not just a decision on public hygiene, but also one concerning public sentiment.”

The world’s first known bird flu victim was a three-year-old Hong Kong boy, who died in May 1997. In 2003, the SARS epidemic took 297 lives in Hong Kong, more than anywhere else.

A three-year-old girl, a seven-year-old boy, and babies aged 21 months and 27 months have died over the past few weeks. A three-year-old boy was taken into intensive care with flu symptoms on Wednesday.

The Hospital Authority announced it was budgeting an extra $2.75 million to deal with the high rate of flu admissions. Emergency service admissions have risen 16 per cent in the past 10 days. Special outpatient sections have been established in hospitals for those suffering from fever, to reduce cross-infections.

This is the season in which flu usually affects Hong Kong and surrounding regions most severely.

Source/Full Story:   The Australian

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