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HK school suspended amid flu fear

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-05-28 22:44

HONG KONG -- Hong Kong's education and health authorities on Thursday jointly announced the suspension of a secondary school to prevent possible spread of the A(H1N1) influenza after a girl student was confirmed as the 13th patient of the disease in the city.

Government cleaners wearing masks draw the blinds before disinfecting a classroom at a school in Hong Kong Tuesday May 28, 2009. [Agencies]

The United Christian College in Kowloon East, in which the 17-year-old student studies, will be closed for two weeks starting from Thursday.

Full Coverage:  A(H1N1) Influenza Outbreak Related readings:  HK confirms 3 more H1N1 flu cases  HK reports 4th H1N1 flu infection  HK confirms two more H1N1 flu patients  2nd A(H1N1) case confirmed in HK  Mainland reacts to HK 1st confirmed case

The girl had returned to school for a rehearsal of the graduation ceremony Wednesday, a day before she was confirmed to have been infected with the A(H1N1) virus.

Staff members of the Food and Health Bureau have already cleaned and disinfected classrooms at noon, a spokesperson from the Education Bureau said, adding that a response group has also been activated in the school.

The girl had traveled to Vancouver with her mother, uncle and a four-year-old cousin from May 12 to 24 and then to the Republic of Korea from May 21 to 24.

She developed respiratory symptoms on Wednesday and was admitted to the Queen Mary Hospital for observation, according to a spokesman from Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection (CHP).

The girl tested positive for the A(H1N1) virus Thursday, a day after her four-year-old cousin was confirmed to have been infected with the virus.

The CHP spokesman advised parents to "pay attention to the health condition of their children, and to remind them to observe good personal and environmental hygiene."

According to the spokesman, the girl will be transferred to the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) for isolation and is now in stable condition.

The students and staff of the school who had close contact with the girl will be put under medical surveillance.

The spokesman said the CHP would closely monitor the situation.

"To protect their own health and that of other travelers, they should seek medical attention where they are."

"If they feel unwell on the plane, they should wear a face mask and inform cabin crew immediately," the spokesman said.