A set of guidelines will be issued to contain any possible spread of atypical pneumonia in schools.

Secretary for Education & Manpower Professor Arthur Li said today that staff and students will be asked to stay away from school if they have family members showing symptoms of the illness.

Although five students have come down with pneumonia, he stressed they were infected by relatives, not schoolmates or staff.

Professor Li said another 182 students have been found to have family members with pneumonia, and these youngsters have been asked to stay away from school for seven days. These youngsters have so far shown no signs of infection.

He said parents should not worry about the illness, adding that he was confident the measures will prevent any possible spread of the virus in schools. The situation will be monitored by health officials.

"There is no spread of the disease in schools. In every case the student got the illness from family members," Professor Li said, adding that full co-operation from schools, staff, students and parents is needed to ensure the measures are effective.

The guidelines are:

* Staff and students with relatives showing symptoms, are not to attend school for seven days;

* Classes will be suspended for seven days in any school in which a student or staff member gets the illness;

* Every school will be required to clean the premises every day after classes;

* Students will be asked to be more aware of health and hygiene, and information leaflets will be distributed at schools; and,

* Students will asked whether they have any family members who are showing pneumonia symptoms, and will be asked not to share food and drinks with schoolmates.

The guidelines also apply for Social Welfare Department nursery centres.

More information is available on the department's hotline 2343 2255, or by calling the Education & Manpower Bureau on 2892 2352.

As at 1pm, 242 people were confirmed to have atypical pneumonia, while five more were under observation.