The Centre for Health Protection has received five reports of outbreaks of influenza-like illness involving two secondary schools in Yuen Long and Sha Tin, a Sham Shui Po primary school, a Tsuen Wan kindergarten and an elderly home in Southern District, affecting 18 people.

The patients are 12 males and six females aged three to 86. Three elderly home residents tested positive for influenza B and two of them were admitted to Queen Mary Hospital.

The centre said flu-like illness may be caused by influenza or other respiratory viruses. Its staff have visited the institution to offer health advice.

Meanwhile, no report was received today under the flu surveillance arrangement set up by the centre with private and public hospitals.