Should classes be suspended under H1N1

Should classes be Should classes be suspended under H1N1suspended under H1N1Yip Sze Nga (09418172)Yeung Cheung Pong (09409459)

Emergence of H1N1Emergence of H1N1First outbreak occurred in Mexico

and North America in March and April 2009

As of 16 Nov 2009,◦Over 206 countries reported

confirmed cases (Source: WHO)

◦the number of confirmed /probable cases = 3174322

◦the number of fatal cases = 8,065 (Source: http://flutracker.rhizalabs.com/)

Situation in Hong KongSituation in Hong KongAs of 11 Nov 09,

◦Accumulated confirmed cases = 31,930

◦Accumulated fatal cases = 40 Consist about 71% of all

circulating influenza viruses in HK(Source

:http://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/SSFM_12_11_09.pdf)

H1N1 has become one of the seasonal influenza

It is predicted that there may be another outbreak in spring 2010

IntroductionIntroductionStrategies adopted in different

stages Effectiveness of class suspension

on controlling the H1N1Possible measures for the next

outbreakRecommendations on the

strategies for the next outbreak

Measures adopted at different Measures adopted at different stagesstages11 June 2009 - St. Paul’s Convent

School suspended classes for 14 days12 June 2009 – all primary schools,

kindergartens, kindergarten cum child care centres and special schools in HK suspended classes for 14 days

24 June 2009 – continue to suspend classes until summer break

All secondary schools took early summer break after the exam period

Why suspend classesWhy suspend classesRefer to cases in other countries,

number of primary school students being infected is 2 times of secondary school and adults

Children aged between 5-9 are more vulnerable to the virus

Higher rate of complications and deaths

More hygiene problem and virus can be spread among children easily

Source: Source: http://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/SSFM_12_11_09.pdfhttp://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/SSFM_12_11_09.pdf

EffectivenessEffectiveness

1. The number of flu cases continue to increase

2. The characteristics H1N1 and SARS is different. Measures for SARS may not work for H1N1

Source: Source: http://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/SSFM_12_11_09.pdfhttp://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/SSFM_12_11_09.pdf

Pros and Cons of class Pros and Cons of class suspensionsuspension

ADVANTAGES of class ADVANTAGES of class suspensionsuspension1. May slow down the transmission

of disease reduce the burden of hospital and clinicsgrasp more information of the virus

2. May reduce the worries of parents

DISADVANTAGES of class DISADVANTAGES of class suspensionsuspension1. During the peak season of H1N1,

the effectiveness of class suspension may be low

2. Affect study progress. May lead to cancellation of exams, changing of teaching syllabus

Possible OptionPossible Option

Possible Options for the next Possible Options for the next outbreak in springoutbreak in spring1. Close down all the schools in

Hong Kong for a specific period of time

2. Suspend classes when one case is found in the school

3. Suspend classes when it is believed that there is transmission within school

Option ONE-Option ONE-Closing down all the Closing down all the schools in Hong Kong for a specific schools in Hong Kong for a specific period of timeperiod of time

Disadvantage The effectiveness is uncertain May lead to social panic Difficult to set the duration of class

suspension Student may still get infected if they go

to tutorial centers or have group gathering

Effects to society and economy

Advantage Clear instruction. Easier to manage. Isolate the high risk group

Option TWO-Option TWO-Suspend classes when Suspend classes when one case is found in the schoolone case is found in the school

DisadvantageMay need to suspend classes frequentlyInterrupt the order of school administration

as well as the social order and economic

AdvantageDo not affect all the students

Option THREE- Option THREE- Suspend classes Suspend classes when it is believed that there is when it is believed that there is transmission within schooltransmission within school• Disadvantage

Difficult to decide whether classes should be suspended if there is no clear guideline from EDB and CHP

• Advantage More scientific findings Fewer classes would be suspended as

compare to Option 2

RecommendationRecommendationGo for Option THREE Reason:

H1N1 vaccines available number of students infected may decrease Option THREE is feasible

H1N1 has become seasonal flumeasures should not be too strict

Schools can take this chance to educate and arouse students’ consciousness on hygiene

How to implementHow to implementClose the school when 3 or more students are

found to have flu like symptomThe infected student should stay at home until

fully recoveredCHP and EDB should give clear guideline and

timely advice to schoolsClose communication between parents, schools

and CHPSchools should plan for contingency measures

for students during the class suspension periodClean and sterilize the campus more frequently

Educating children as well as the community on personal hygiene

The strategy should be reviewed frequently according to the changing situation of H1N1

ReferencesReferencesApple Daily (

http://hk.nextmedia.com/)Centre for Health Protection (

http://www.chp.gov.hk/)FluTracker (

http://flutracker.rhizalabs.com/)Food and Health Bureau (

http://www.fhb.gov.hk/en/index.html)World Health Organization (

http://www.who.int/)

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