Gene sequencing today confirmed that the virus isolated from a recently ill five-year-old boy is H9N2.

Department of Health officers today visited his Lam Tin kindergarten to investigate the case and to provide health education to the school. Food & Environmental Hygiene Department staff then thoroughly disinfected the premises.

Investigations found no abnormal sick leave patterns at the school in recent weeks, and declared its hygiene satisfactory. However, the school was reminded to take precautionary measures to prevent influenza.

Samples of bird droppings outside the school were collected for tests. Subject to parental consent, officers will take blood and throat swabs from the children to look for H9N2 infection.

Officers visited the boy's home last night and disinfection was later conducted. Three family members have a mild cough but no fever, and samples have been taken from them for testing.

Environmental samples were also collected from poultry stalls in a nearby market. Letters have been sent alerting all doctors and Chinese medicine practitioners to the case.

H9N2 flu is very rare and bird-to-human transmission is the most likely possibility based on previous studies. Victims have fully recovered.

As a precaution, people are reminded to avoid contact with live poultry, and to wash hands thoroughly with soap after handling live poultry.

To build up good body resistance against influenza, people should maintain a balanced diet, do regular exercise, have adequate rest and should not smoke.

For updated information on influenza, visit the Department of Health homepage, or call the Central Health Education Unit hotline 2833 0111.