Consultation rates for influenza-like illnesses have grown sharply in Hong Kong over the past three weeks with 31 institutional flu outbreaks in February, mostly involving schools, said a health care official on Tuesday.

Department of Health Consultant Thomas Tsang said the predominant circulating strain is influenza A (H3N2) and no abnormal isolates such as H5N1 have been detected.

Noting the flu season is expected to continue for a few more weeks, Tsang urged people to guard against the disease by observing good personal, food and environmental hygiene.

In addition, the department has set up a dedicated website on influenza and its prevention.

Tsang said 155 pneumonia cases involving recent travel to Guangdong were reported to the department for follow-up action last month. None tested positive for SARS.

Six cases of amoebic dysentery were reported in February, after six cases in January. All have recovered and the last case was reported on Feb. 11. He said no common source of exposure was found.

Tsang said dengue fever is another disease of concern and while the number of cases in January and February were comparable to previous years, dengue activity can remain high in Southeast Asia.

The recent situation in Indonesia is one example, he said. He urged travelers to dengue endemic places to take precautions, such as wearing long trousers and shirts, and applying insect repellent to exposed skin.

"As of March 16, there were nine imported dengue fever cases in Hong Kong this year. There were 48 imported cases reported in 2003," Tsang said.

He said although there have been no local dengue cases, there is still a potential threat to Hong Kong.

He added that although viral gastroenteritis outbreaks have fallen from their peak in February, diseases to monitor over the next few months include dengue fever, hand, foot and mouth disease, and food-borne diseases, which become more active in warmer months.

(Xinhua News Agency March 17, 2004)