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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (September 20) investigating two cases of severe paediatric influenza A infection and reminded the community to heighten vigilance against influenza.
The first case involves a 5-year-old girl with good past health, who has presented with a fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath and vomiting since September 18. She attended St. Teresa's Hospital on September 19. She attended Queen Elizabeth Hospital today due to worsening symptoms and was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit for treatment. Her respiratory specimen was positive for influenza A (H3) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with encephalitis. She is now in critical condition. Her home contacts are currently asymptomatic.
Another case involves a 9-year-old boy with asthma, who has presented with a fever, cough, shortness of breath, and vomiting since September 17. He attended Prince of Wales Hospital on September 19 and was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit for treatment. His respiratory specimen was positive for influenza A (H3) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with severe pneumonia. He is now in critical condition. One of his home contacts is currently symptomatic. ...