It looks like another flu scare for Hong Kong . . . HK schools close amid flu fears . . . three children have died and five remain hospitalized while a number are showing symptoms. The closures are to keep the kids from spreading it. Scientists are trying to determine if the deaths were related or unrelated to the flu and to see if they can figure out if this thing is a new strain or something else.

Lorraine is going to Hong Kong for work next week so this news basically sucks (on this side of the planet, SARS really scared the bejeepers out of most of us – I was in maximum quarantine in hospital for a week with bronchitis when SARS hit and so have a particular reaction to anything that hints at more).

It is likely the new thing in HK is not an epidemic or anything like that but the government is also very sensitive to concerns and prefers to stay on the safe side.

All the best,
Brian