Hong Kong Schools Closed Thursday, Due to Flu Outbreak

Filed in archive Cases , Influenza , Neurological Disorders on March 13, 2008

Elementary schools and pre-schools in Hong Kong were closed Thursday, yesterday because of a flu outbreak.

The abrupt closing of the schools, announced late Wednesday night, prompted considerable alarm, with some people donning surgical masks in public as they had in 2003 during the outbreak of SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome.

As the closing of the schools reminded investors of the last lengthy school closing during the SARS outbreak, the Hong Kong stock market plunged 4.79 percent on Thursday, performing worse than any other asian stock market except India's as stock markets across Asia declined.

Dr. York Chow, Hong Kong's secretary for health and food, said at a news conference that he was erring on the side of caution in closing the schools for two weeks, and was risking his political career given that many parents were angered by suddenly having to figure out child care arrangements.

Well, parents may be angered, but at least the government is taking action. I doubt if this will ever happen in the Philippines, I really doubt it.

But then in a small place like Hong Kong, an outbreak will really sweep most of its population.

Find more details from the New York Times.