How would schools step up public health measures to control spread of SARS?
- A Lee,
- F F K Cheng,
- H Yuen,
- M Ho,
- and the Hong Kong Healthy Schools Support Group*
- Centre for Health Education and Health Promotion, School of Public Health, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Correspondence to: Professor A Lee Centre for Health Education and Health Promotion, The School of Public Health, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 4th Floor, School of Public Health, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong; aleecuhk.edu.hk
- Accepted 29 September 2003
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a rapidly progressive, and sometime fatal disease with more than 1800 patients in over a dozen countries in Asia, Europe, and North America (including the United States and Canada) within two months. On 12 March 2003, the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued a global alert about SARS so it became a global challenge. Strengthening the public health measures at schools would protect children as well as providing the students an opportunity to learn about infectious disease control through life event approach. The public health measures at schools include two important components: basic understanding of the disease so schools would put on high alert on caution cases, and the measures to improve environmental hygiene at schools and preventive measures to stop infectious disease transmission. This will help to empower the whole community the readiness to deal with other outbreaks in the future.
Footnotes
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↵* The frequency of cleaning depends on the use of the facilities and school circumstances. The above recommendation is only a minimal requirement.
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↵* Grace Au, Suzanne Au, Vera Keung, Tracy Leung, Nancy Li, Amelia Lo, Phoebe Ng, Janet Ngan, Daimian Siu, Carol Suen, Grace Tso, Jasmine Wong, Vivian Wong, Winki Yuen.
