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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has reported a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection and is urging the public to uphold good personal and environmental hygiene to prevent influenza and other respiratory illnesses.
The case involves a 17-year-old boy with no significant past health issues. He began exhibiting symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, and runny nose, on 3rd September. He visited the Accident and Emergency Department at Tuen Mun Hospital on 4th September and was subsequently admitted to the hospital’s paediatric intensive care unit. Laboratory tests confirmed that his nasopharyngeal swab specimen tested positive for the influenza A (H3) virus. His clinical diagnosis indicates influenza A infection complicated by shock, and he remains hospitalised in serious condition.The boy had no travel history during the incubation period, and his household contacts are currently asymptomatic.
The CHP’s investigation revealed that the boy did not receive the seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV). Additionally, five other students from his class exhibited mild flu symptoms between 2nd and 3rd September; they sought medical attention but none required hospitalisation. No outbreaks have been reported in other classes at this time. CHP officials have conducted onsite inspections and advised the school on essential infection control measures. These include recommending that students in the affected class wear masks, ensuring proper ventilation by opening windows in activity rooms and classrooms, conducting thorough cleaning and disinfection, and halting inter-class and inter-grade activities. The CHP also advised teachers and students to check their temperatures daily before attending school and to stay home if experiencing symptoms or fever. The school will remain under medical surveillance by the CHP.
Recent surveillance data from the CHP indicate a further increase in local influenza activity last week, slightly surpassing the baseline threshold. The CHP will continue to monitor influenza activity closely to assess whether Hong Kong has entered the summer influenza season.
The case involves a 17-year-old boy with no significant past health issues. He began exhibiting symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, and runny nose, on 3rd September. He visited the Accident and Emergency Department at Tuen Mun Hospital on 4th September and was subsequently admitted to the hospital’s paediatric intensive care unit. Laboratory tests confirmed that his nasopharyngeal swab specimen tested positive for the influenza A (H3) virus. His clinical diagnosis indicates influenza A infection complicated by shock, and he remains hospitalised in serious condition.The boy had no travel history during the incubation period, and his household contacts are currently asymptomatic.
The CHP’s investigation revealed that the boy did not receive the seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV). Additionally, five other students from his class exhibited mild flu symptoms between 2nd and 3rd September; they sought medical attention but none required hospitalisation. No outbreaks have been reported in other classes at this time. CHP officials have conducted onsite inspections and advised the school on essential infection control measures. These include recommending that students in the affected class wear masks, ensuring proper ventilation by opening windows in activity rooms and classrooms, conducting thorough cleaning and disinfection, and halting inter-class and inter-grade activities. The CHP also advised teachers and students to check their temperatures daily before attending school and to stay home if experiencing symptoms or fever. The school will remain under medical surveillance by the CHP.
Recent surveillance data from the CHP indicate a further increase in local influenza activity last week, slightly surpassing the baseline threshold. The CHP will continue to monitor influenza activity closely to assess whether Hong Kong has entered the summer influenza season.