International kindergarten closes after flu outbreak, as government monitors two public school similarly affected
- At least 10 children contacted the illness at the preschool, prompting the immediate closure till next Monday
- At a public kindergarten in Fanling, 24 pupils were struck down, while 21 boys at a primary school in Kowloon City took ill
A privately run kindergarten has been closed after a flu outbreak, while authorities were also monitoring two public schools after dozens of children were stricken with the illness.
Tsing Yi International Kindergarten, run by the privately funded English Schools Foundation (ESF), announced it would close with immediate effect until next Monday.
At least 10 children had contracted flu in the past 24 hours, prompting the drastic step to prevent the spread of illness, according to a local media report.
“Our first priority will always be the health, safety and well-being of the students,” an ESF spokeswoman said. “The decision to close was taken to prevent further spread of the disease among the school community.”
Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection (CHP) said it was investigating two new outbreaks of flu at a kindergarten child care centre in Fanling, in the New Territories, and a primary school in Kowloon City. Both had be placed under medical surveillance by authorities.
The CHP urged parents to heed its advice, if children feel unwell, to seek medical advice and avoid school for at least 48 hours after a fever has subsided.
