Expert Group to Probechild Deaths

According to news.gov.hk: 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 32 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.

Originally published by Info-Prod Strategic Business Information.

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