Mitigation of Influenza B Epidemic with School Closures, Hong Kong, 2018

Abstract

In winter 2018, schools in Hong Kong were closed 1 week before the scheduled Chinese New Year holiday to mitigate an influenza B virus epidemic. The intervention occurred after the epidemic peak and reduced overall incidence by ≈4.2%. School-based vaccination programs should be implemented to more effectively reduce influenza illnesses.

Keywords

• influenza
• school closure
• public health
• influenza B
• Hong Kong
• epidemic