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: China; Hong Kong; Yamagata; epidemic; influenza; influenza B; intervention; outbreaks; public health; respiratory infections; school closure; school outbreaks; transmission; viruses.