An additional $10 million will be allocated to more than 3,000 welfare service units to step up cleanliness and precautionary measures against human swine influenza, the Social Welfare Department says.

Each welfare service unit will receive materials or $3,000 for purchasing cleaning and disinfectant items. The grants will be released within seven days.

All these units should step up precautionary measures with reference to the latest guidelines issued by the department on the prevention of the spreading of flu, and the health advices issued by the Centre for Health Protection.

Welfare service units to be covered are residential care homes for the elderly and people with disabilities, day elderly services units, day rehabilitation services units, childcare centres and integrated youth services centres.