Hong Kong: Flu Season Deaths Go From 15 on Jan. 19th to 88 - 12 days later on Jan 31st

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Published: 12:23pm, 19 Jan 2025 Updated: 11:13pm, 19 Jan 2025

Hong Kong’s winter flu season will peak in early February, a respiratory disease expert has predicted, while 15 deaths in the second week of January have been confirmed to be people infected with influenza.

https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3295364/hong-kong-flu-season-expected-peak-february-15-deaths-confirmed?module=top_story&pgtype=subsection

Hong Kong records 88 flu deaths in first weeks of winter influenza season
Published: 7:24pm, 31 Jan 2025Updated: 7:28pm, 31 Jan 2025

Hong Kong has recorded 88 flu deaths since the current influenza season began early this month, up by nearly 30 per cent from the 68 fatalities in the same period during last winter’s surge, according to the latest figures released by the Centre for Health Protection.

The health minister on Friday urged hospitals and clinics to help promote flu shots and said a recent decision to publish a list of schools that did not take part in a voluntary inoculation campaign was the right decision.

The winter flu season began on January 5, and experts have warned that the worst is yet to come as the peak is forecast to occur in February.

...https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/...ype=subsection

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Don’t delay seeking help for children with flu symptoms, Hong Kong parents urged

Warning from leading medical expert follows spate of severe cases complicated by other viruses and bacterial infections

Published: 1:09pm, 26 Jan 2025Updated: 9:53pm, 26 Jan 2025
excerpt:

Dr Mike Kwan Yat-wah, an honorary associate professor at the University of Hong Kong’s department of paediatrics and adolescent medicine, warned on Sunday that concurrent viral and bacterial infections could produce complications such as encephalopathy, a condition that can lead to brain damage.

“If it’s just a flu infection, the condition tends to be milder. But if the flu combines with other viruses such as Covid-19 and adenovirus, or in some cases bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae or Staphylococcus aureus, cases can become more severe,” Kwan told a radio programme.

https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3296316/dont-delay-seeking-help-children-flu-symptoms-hong-kong-parents-urged

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Ends/Monday, February 3, 2025

DH calls for influenza vaccination as influenza activity increases in Hong Kong and northern hemisphere
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The Controller of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health, Dr Edwin Tsui, today (February 3) reminded members of the public that the seasonal influenza activity in Hong Kong and many other countries and regions in the northern hemisphere remains at a high level. All sectors of the community should heighten their vigilance and enhance personal protection measures against influenza, including receiving seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) to protect their health and that of their family members. Those who plan to travel should stay alert to the situation of infectious diseases in their destinations, and observe strict personal and environmental hygiene.

"Hong Kong entered the influenza season in early January. The CHP has recorded 199 adult cases of intensive care unit admissions or deaths due to influenza in the first four weeks, as compared with 127 cases in the same period in the last influenza season. Among them, there were 122 deaths and over 70 per cent of these severe or death cases did not receive SIV. For the deaths, nearly 90 per cent involved persons aged 65 or above. For children, the CHP has recorded nine cases of severe paediatric influenza-associated complications. Seven of them were unvaccinated," he said.

Dr Tsui said that as the influenza activity in many parts of the northern hemisphere (including the Mainland, Japan, Korea, as well as Europe and North America) remains at a high level, people who are going to travel should pay attention to the influenza situation at their destinations before departure and take appropriate personal protective measures, including receiving SIV as soon as possible and consider wearing a surgical mask when staying in crowded places. Regardless of whether in Hong Kong or abroad, if people develop respiratory symptoms, even if mild, they should wear surgical masks and seek medical advice promptly.

"With reference to previous surveillance data, virus activity will continue to increase for a period of time after the start of the influenza season before peaking. Currently available data indicate that the influenza activity level is still on the rise. In view of the high levels of influenza activity locally and in the northern hemisphere in the coming weeks, all persons aged 6 months and above (except those with known contraindications) who have not yet received SIV, particularly the elderly and children who have a higher risk of becoming infected with influenza and developing complications, should act immediately to minimise the risk of serious complications and death after infection," Dr Tsui said.

As of February 2, a total of about 1 932 000 doses of vaccines were administered under the various vaccination programmes, representing an increase of about 6.4 per cent over the same period last year and an all time high, surpassing the total number of doses administered under the various vaccination programmes in year 2023/24 (i.e. about 1 873 000 doses). The number of schools participating in the SIV School Outreach has also increased significantly this year. About 1 030 kindergartens/child care centres (98 per cent), about 640 primary schools (98 per cent) and about 490 secondary schools (98 per cent) have completed or are arranging the SIV school outreach activities. This is higher than last year's participation rate (80 per cent of kindergartens/child care centres, 95 per cent of primary schools and 70 per cent of secondary schools). The SIV coverage rate for children aged 6 months to under 2 years remained relatively low at about 21.0 per cent. Although slightly higher than that of the same period a year ago, the coverage rate was still lower than that of other age groups of children. To enhance relevant vaccination services and boost the vaccination rate, the Government has opened the DH's Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) to all children aged 6 months to under 2 years. Parents may book an appointment for their children to receive vaccinations at designated MCHCs via the online booking system.

For the latest information, members of the public can visit the CHP's seasonal influenza and COVID-19 & Flu Express webpages.

https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202502/03/P2025020300451.htm

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1/28/25

CHP receives three severe cases of influenza A infection in one day
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Following a severe case of influenza A infection in a 10-month-old baby girl who had not received seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) yesterday (January 27), the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (January 28) received two more cases of severe paediatric influenza A infection in children who have not yet received the SIV. Another severe paediatric case of co-infection with influenza A and group A streptococcus was also reported.

The first case involved a six-year-old boy with good past health, who developed fever on January 26. He attended the Union Hospital yesterday and was later transferred to Prince of Wales Hospital, where he remains in the paediatric intensive care unit. His nasopharyngeal swab specimen tested positive for influenza A (H1) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with shock. So far, his household contacts show no upper respiratory symptom and there has been no recent influenza outbreak at his school.

The second case involved a twelve-year-old boy with underlying illness who developed fever and cough yesterday. He was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital today, where he remains in the paediatric intensive care unit. His nasopharyngeal swab specimen tested positive for influenza A (H3) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with severe pneumonia and shock. He lives in a school dormitory and seven other students from the same school have recently developed upper respiratory symptoms. The CHP had conducted inspection at the school and provided health advice.

"The above-mentioned two boys had no travel history during the incubation period. An initial investigation revealed that they did not receive 2024/25 SIV. The CHP reiterated its call to the parents to bring their children to receive SIV as soon as possible," a spokesman for the CHP said.

Furthermore, an eight-year-old boy with good past health developed fever since January 23, and cough and shortness of breath since yesterday. He was admitted to the Princess Margaret Hospital on the same day, where he remains in the paediatric intensive care unit. His nasopharyngeal swab specimen tested positive for influenza A (H1) virus and his blood sample tested positive for group A streptococcus. The clinical diagnosis was co-infection with influenza A and group A streptococcus complicated with sepsis.

"Since the start of this influenza season in early January, the CHP has recorded eight cases (including three above-mentioned children) of severe influenza virus infection in children. Six of them were unvaccinated. Influenza vaccination has been scientifically proven to be one of the most effective ways to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications, while significantly reducing the risk of hospitalisation and death from seasonal influenza. All persons aged 6 months and above (except those with known contraindications) who have not yet received SIV should act immediately, particularly the elderly and children who have a higher risk of becoming infected with influenza and developing complications," he added.

https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202501/28/P2025012800589.htm

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2/1/25

Severe case of influenza A infection in unvaccinated child reported
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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (February 1) received a report of a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection in a boy who had not yet received the seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV). He is still hospitalised and in critical condition. The CHP urged the public who have not yet received the SIV to act immediately to minimise the risk of serious complications and death after infection.

"The 19 month-old boy with good past health developed a fever and cough since January 30. He attended Hong Kong Baptist Hospital yesterday and was later transferred to Kwong Wah Hospital, where he remains in the paediatric intensive care unit. His nasopharyngeal swab specimen was tested positive for the influenza A (H1) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with severe pneumonia," a spokesman for the CHP said.

The boy had no travel history during the incubation period. His household contacts, so far, are asymptomatic. An initial investigation revealed that he did not receive 2024/25 SIV. The CHP reiterated its call to the parents to bring their children to receive SIV as soon as possible.

"Including the above-mentioned boy, the CHP has recorded nine cases of severe influenza virus infection in children since the start of this influenza season in early January, seven of whom were unvaccinated. Influenza vaccination has been scientifically proven to be one of the most effective ways to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications, while significantly reducing the risk of hospitalisation and death from seasonal influenza. All persons aged 6 months and above (except those with known contraindications) who have not yet received SIV should act immediately, particularly the elderly and children who have a higher risk of becoming infected with influenza and developing complications," the spokesman said.

...https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/...5020100408.htm