HK education chief alerts schools on H7N9

Hong Kong Secretary for Education Eddie Ng on Thursday urged all schools to stay vigilant to prevent the spread of communicable diseases, especially H7N9.

During a visit to a local school, Ng said the government is concerned about the H7N9 virus, and bureaus and departments have liaised closely on preventive and control measures.

"We have already provided the Guidelines on Prevention of Communicable Diseases for schools to guard against communicable diseases," Ng said, adding that the bureau has also issued a letter to schools, together with the Center for Health Protection' s advice, to remind them to stay vigilant.

He also said the bureau and the center would continue to provide schools with timely advice and guidelines, and will organize health talks for schools in April and May for healthcare staff to share their expertise on preventing and controlling communicable diseases.

The local school management briefed Ng on raised alertness and the crisis management team set up to coordinate measures including strengthened home-school cooperation, under which parents check their children's body temperature daily and record it in student handbooks.

Speaking to media after the visit, Ng said the government has established preventive measures at boundary control points, such as facilities to measure body temperature. There are also arrangements on coaches for cross-boundary students.

The measures for schools with students crossing the boundary is the same as that of local schools, including hand-washing procedures and encouraging students to measure their body temperature and not attend school if feeling unwell.

Special report: H7N9 avian influenza