Schools urged to stay alert amidst H7N9 terror

Check out government's enhanced measures.

Secretary for Education Eddie Ng is urging all schools in Hong Kong to stay vigilant to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.

Mr Ng visited St Francis' Canossian School in Wan Chai today along with Under Secretary for Food & Health Prof Sophia Chan and Assistant Director of Health (Health Promotion) Dr Regina Ching, to inspect the school's preventive measures against H7N9.

School management briefed them 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.

They also provide health education, and have paid particular attention to environmental hygiene, including cleanliness and disinfection.

Mr Ng said the Government is concerned about the virus, and bureaux 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,” he said, adding the bureau has also issued a letter to schools, together with the Centre for Health Protection’s advice, to remind them to stay vigilant.

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

Speaking to media after the visit, Mr 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.