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Hong Kong, Influenza peak season comes to an end (July 24 2012): 329 death cases since January 2012
[Source: Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong PRC SAR, full text: (LINK).]
Influenza peak season comes to an end
The latest surveillance data from the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health showed that the influenza peak season in Hong Kong has come to an end, having lasted for about six months since taking off in mid-January.
Hong Kong entered the influenza season in mid-January in 2012, with influenza B predominating. By mid-March, influenza B subsided but influenza A(H3N2) started to pick up. Influenza A(H3N2) subsequently dominated the latter phase of the season. The highest flu activity was recorded in late May.
The weekly number of influenza detections recorded by the Public Health Laboratory Centre (PHLC) of the CHP has decreased from its peak at 1,113 in the week ending May 26 to 112 for the week ending July 21. The latest laboratory data from the PHLC also showed that only around 7 per cent of respiratory specimens received by the PHLC during the period from July 9 to July 15 were positive for influenza viruses. The influenza A(H3N2) virus predominated in the past eight weeks, constituting more than 98 per cent of all influenza detections.
There has also been a significant reduction in the number of influenza-like illness (ILI) outbreaks reported from schools and institutions, decreasing from 65 for the week ending May 26 to four for the week ending July 21.
In the week ending July 14, the average ILI consultation rates among general outpatient clinics (GOPCs) and sentinel private doctors were 3.8 per 1,000 consultations and 40.2 per 1,000 consultations respectively. The peak rates recorded this season for GOPCs and sentinel private doctors were 8.6 in the week ending May 19 and 66.8 in the week ending May 26 respectively.
The CHP has collaborated with the Hospital Authority and private hospitals to enhance surveillance during the peak influenza season for cases with influenza-associated intensive care unit (ICU) admission or death since January 13, 2012.
As at noon on July 24, a total of 329 ICU/death cases, including 223 deaths with laboratory confirmation, were recorded. The ages of those in the cases ranged from 19 to 102 years (median: 80 years). The most affected age group was the elderly aged 65 years or above, constituting 77 per cent of all cases.
In addition, the CHP also continued monitoring the paediatric cases (aged below 18) with severe influenza-associated complications/death. Since January 13, there have been 16 reports of severe paediatric influenza associated complications/death including two fatal cases. The ages of those reported ranged from 8 months to 16 years (median: 5.5 years). The last severe case was reported on June 18.
After reviewing the prevailing situation, the enhanced surveillance of severe seasonal influenza will end on July 26. The CHP will closely monitor the surveillance data on influenza and continue to publish weekly reports in the Flu Express on the CHP website to summarise the local influenza situation.
Ends/Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:09
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The latest surveillance data from the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health showed that the influenza peak season in Hong Kong has come to an end, having lasted for about six months since taking off in mid-January.
Hong Kong entered the influenza season in mid-January in 2012, with influenza B predominating. By mid-March, influenza B subsided but influenza A(H3N2) started to pick up. Influenza A(H3N2) subsequently dominated the latter phase of the season. The highest flu activity was recorded in late May.
The weekly number of influenza detections recorded by the Public Health Laboratory Centre (PHLC) of the CHP has decreased from its peak at 1,113 in the week ending May 26 to 112 for the week ending July 21. The latest laboratory data from the PHLC also showed that only around 7 per cent of respiratory specimens received by the PHLC during the period from July 9 to July 15 were positive for influenza viruses. The influenza A(H3N2) virus predominated in the past eight weeks, constituting more than 98 per cent of all influenza detections.
There has also been a significant reduction in the number of influenza-like illness (ILI) outbreaks reported from schools and institutions, decreasing from 65 for the week ending May 26 to four for the week ending July 21.
In the week ending July 14, the average ILI consultation rates among general outpatient clinics (GOPCs) and sentinel private doctors were 3.8 per 1,000 consultations and 40.2 per 1,000 consultations respectively. The peak rates recorded this season for GOPCs and sentinel private doctors were 8.6 in the week ending May 19 and 66.8 in the week ending May 26 respectively.
The CHP has collaborated with the Hospital Authority and private hospitals to enhance surveillance during the peak influenza season for cases with influenza-associated intensive care unit (ICU) admission or death since January 13, 2012.
As at noon on July 24, a total of 329 ICU/death cases, including 223 deaths with laboratory confirmation, were recorded. The ages of those in the cases ranged from 19 to 102 years (median: 80 years). The most affected age group was the elderly aged 65 years or above, constituting 77 per cent of all cases.
In addition, the CHP also continued monitoring the paediatric cases (aged below 18) with severe influenza-associated complications/death. Since January 13, there have been 16 reports of severe paediatric influenza associated complications/death including two fatal cases. The ages of those reported ranged from 8 months to 16 years (median: 5.5 years). The last severe case was reported on June 18.
After reviewing the prevailing situation, the enhanced surveillance of severe seasonal influenza will end on July 26. The CHP will closely monitor the surveillance data on influenza and continue to publish weekly reports in the Flu Express on the CHP website to summarise the local influenza situation.
Ends/Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:09
NNNN