Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow has appointed Hong Kong University Professor Yuen Kwok-yung to lead an expert group in probing the recent deaths of three children with flu-like symptoms. They will see if the cases are related and whether any other viruses are involved.

The decision was made after Dr Chow's meeting with Department of Health, Hospital Authority and Education Bureau officials today. They also discussed Hong Kong's flu situation and prevention and control measures.

Centre for Health Protection Controller Dr Thomas Tsang told reporters the seven-year-old boy admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital on March 8 with serious encephalitis and brain swelling has died. So far 35 children from his school - STFA Ho Yat Tung Primary School - have been affected in an upper respiratory tract infection outbreak since late February with five hospitalised. Their conditions are stable.

Dr Tsang said influenza-A is likely behind the outbreak as three samples taken from the children tested positive for the virus.

School closure

As the flu spread continues at the school, it has been asked to advance the two-week Easter holiday to tomorrow so thorough disinfection can be conducted and more tests on samples taken from the children can be arranged.

The centre will monitor the health of the affected children and assess the school's situation to see if the holiday needs to be extended.

Dr Tsang said at present other schools need not advance their Easter holiday and no citywide school closure is necessary. The centre will watch the latest developments and consider implementing school closures to stop the outbreak spreading.

To keep school management abreast of Hong Kong's flu situation and preventive measures four large-scale talks will be held March 12 to 15.

Contingency measures

The Hospital Authority will closely monitor the daily hospital occupancy rate, attendance and admission cases at accident and emergency departments to better deploy manpower and resources.

Contingency measures like hiring and re-deploying additional healthcare staff and postponing non-urgent operations may be activated.

Dr Chow said the Government will stay alert to safeguard public health, adding effective control and preventive measures will be taken according to the latest situation.

Outbreak update

Today saw 27 reports of flu-like illness affecting four secondary schools, 15 primary schools, six kindergartens and childcare centres, a residential home for the disabled and a hospital ward involving 197 people. Click here for details.

The illness may be caused by influenza or other respiratory viruses. Staff from the centre have visited all the institutions to offer health advice.

The public must seek medical advice before taking Tamiflu which is an anti-viral drug to treat influenza. Tamiflu must be prescribed by a doctor and dispensed under the supervision of a pharmacist by law.