Schools in Hong Kong are now adding anti-mosquito measures on their list as the first day of the term starts, although the majority of the parents remain unconcerned of the possibility of the second outbreak of dengue fever.
The Lion Rock Park in Wong Tai Sin is considered to be the hotspot for infection. There are 18 patients went to this area before being diagnosed with dengue fever. Since August 14, there are 28 confirmed cases contracted the disease locally. This is the highest number recorded in a year since 1994.
Ching Hoi-lan, the mother of two children studying at schools close to the Lion Rock Park, said the youngsters did not appear to be concerned. Meanwhile, Tse Yeuk-fui, the mother of two pupils studying in Wong Tai Sin Government Primary School, noted they temporarily skipped regular hikes on the park.
Both parents said they still let their kids go to school as per normal.
Huang Xiang, who is the chairwoman of the Federation of Parent-Teacher Associations in Wong Tai Sin District, stated she hasn't heard any parents stopping their kids from going to school because of dengue fever concerns.
According to the South China Morning Post, as of Aug. 17, the Lion Rock Park has been closed for 30 days. The authorities are working to wipe out the breeding sites of mosquito.
As the new term starts, Grace Methodist Church Kindergarten and Baptist Rainbow Primary School added anti-mosquito measures of their list. Both schools are within a 500m radius of Lion Rock Park.
They purchased anti-mosquito devices like mosquito lamps. Both schools will also suspend any outdoor activities until the situation improves. The pupils can also wear trousers and long-sleeves clothes, rather than their school uniforms.
Both principals said, when a pupil acquired mosquito bites, the school will immediately contact the parent and ask them to bring the child to the hospital. If the child becomes infected, the school needs to quickly report the incident to the Education Bureau.
"Our parents all understand that if children keep an eye and do not stay outdoors for long, there is not a big issue," said Fung Yiu-cheung, principal of Baptist Rainbow.
Meanwhile, schools in Cheung Chau also implemented the same measures to tackle mosquitoes. The staff at the Lui Kwan Pok Lutheran Day Nursery assigned to check the pupils for mosquito bites every morning.
Dr. Leung Chi-chiu, the chairman of the Medical Association's advisory committee on communicable diseases, warned last week that the second outbreak of dengue fever could likely happen when schools reopen. He noted that those who have no obvious symptoms could transmit the disease to other cities.
Secretary for Food and Health Professor Sophia Chan Siu-chee said on Saturday that the Centre for Health Protection had issued letters to schools reminding them to take anti-mosquito measures.
She said the Home Affairs Department would distribute mosquito repellents to all schools.
On Saturday, Secretary for Food and Health Professor Sophia Chan Siu-chee said that the Centre for Health Protection had already issued letters to schools to remind them to add anti-mosquito measures on their list.
Health officials will also monitor schools within a 500m radius of infection sites to make sure that mosquito control measures will be properly implemented.
