The Centre for Health Protection is probing three flu-like illness outbreak reports involving 13 people aged three to 90 from two kindergartens and an elderly home.

The first case involves two boys and a girl, all aged three, from Jingle Bell Kindergarten in Sha Tin. One has been admitted to Baptist Hospital.

The second involves three boys and two girls, all aged four, from Fanling Assemblies of God Kindergarten. One was sent to Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital and has been discharged.

The third involves three men and two women, aged 49 to 90, from the Sage Tung Lin Kok Yuen Centre for the Young-at-Heart in Hong Kong East. Four were sent to Ruttonjee Hospital and one has been discharged. Influenza-B virus has been confirmed the cause.

Influenza or other respiratory viruses can cause flu-like illness. Centre staff have visited the institutions to provide health advice.

Meanwhile, a report involving an 11-year-old boy was received today under the influenza surveillance arrangement set up by the centre with hospitals. The boy is now in Prince of Wales Hospital and his preliminary influenza test is negative.