Hong Kong - Update on severe seasonal influenza cases (As of 20 April, 2015) - 635 ICU admission - 490 deaths

[penguinsix]

At least 111 have died in Hong Kong from flu in the past one month. One of the latest cases involves a 60-year-old customs officer who suffered multiple organ failure after being infected with the H3N2 flu virus. He died at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on Tuesday morning. Dr Leung Chi-chiu, the Chairman of the Hong Kong Medical Association's Advisory Committee on Communicable Diseases, warned that flu season will last at least for a few more weeks. He told RTHK's Wendy Wong that the flu has been very severe this season worldwide. "Figures from the United States show that the number of hospital admissions of the elderly has been on record levels there as well," he said.

[penguinsix]

Feb.6 Update

134 deaths

207 cases (195 H3N2)

11 Pediatric cases, 0 pediatric deaths. All 11 were H3N2


http://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/flu_update_en.pdf

[penguinsix]

Feb. 7 Update

140 deaths

214 cases

11 Pediatric cases, 0 pediatric deaths. All 11 were H3N2 (no change)

http://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/flu_update_en.pdf

[penguinsix]

Feb. 10 Update

157 deaths
236 cases

11 Pediatric cases, 0 pediatric deaths. All 11 were H3N2 (no change)

http://www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/38347.html

[tetano]

10 new cases and 7 deaths

Total 266 ICU admissions and 181 deaths

http://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/flu_update_en.pdf

[penguinsix]

Feb. 14 Update
196 deaths (15 deaths yesterday)
282 cases

14 Pediatric cases, 0 pediatric deaths. 13 cases were H3N2

http://www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/38439.html

[penguinsix]

18 died yesterday, the highest toll to date.

Feb. 17 Update
228 deaths
332 cases (306 (A)H2N2)

14 Pediatric cases, 0 pediatric deaths. 14 cases were H3N2

[penguinsix]

Feb. 22 Update
246 Deaths
331 Cases (331 H2N2)
16 Pediatric cases, 1 pediatric deaths. 15 cases were H3N2

http://www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/38545.html

[tetano]

Feb 23 Update

352 ICU admissions
254 deaths
16 pediatric cases ( 1 death)

http://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/flu_update_en.pdf

[tetano]

Latest update of surveillance data in winter influenza season
************************************************** ***** The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (February 25) reported the latest surveillance data of the winter influenza season, and again urged the public to heighten vigilance and get vaccinated early against seasonal influenza.

"The overall influenza activity in Hong Kong remains at a very high level and is expected to remain at a high level for some time. We also noted that the influenza activity of Macau and Taiwan is on the rise," a spokesman for the CHP said.

"The public should maintain strict personal hygiene both locally and during travel. Wash or clean hands frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, or after touching public installations such as handrails or door knobs. Wear a mask when respiratory symptoms develop, especially when going to crowded places. High-risk persons may wear masks against infections," the spokesman added.

Local surveillance
------------------

As for laboratory surveillance, among respiratory specimens received by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch, the percentage that tested positive for seasonal influenza viruses decreased from 27.5 per cent in the second week of February to 25.1 per cent last week, compared with the peak at 38.7 per cent in the last week of January. About 93 per cent of influenza virus detections were A(H3N2).

Regarding severe cases, from noon yesterday (February 24) to noon today, 14 additional cases of influenza-associated admission to intensive care units or death (including 10 deaths) among adults aged 18 or above have been recorded under the enhanced surveillance in collaboration with public and private hospitals reactivated since January 2 and an additional death was recorded among previously reported cases, bringing the total to 383 (283 deaths) so far. Among them, 367 were A(H3N2), one was A(H1N1)pdm09, seven were A pending subtype and eight were B. In the last winter season in early 2014, 266 (133 deaths) were filed.

Last week, 56 cases (42 deaths) with a daily average of eight cases (six deaths) were recorded, compared with 74 cases (56 deaths) with a daily average of 10.6 cases (eight deaths) in the previous week.

Meanwhile, no additional cases of severe paediatric influenza-associated complication or death among children aged under 18 have been reported since yesterday via the ongoing reporting system and the total this year hence remains at 17 (one death) and 16 were A(H3N2) while one was A pending subtype. In 2014, 27 cases (four deaths) were filed.

Turning to influenza-like illness (ILI), the number of institutional outbreaks reported to the CHP decreased from 37 (affecting 146 persons) in the second week of February to 19 (102 persons) last week. As of yesterday, 17 (79 persons) had been recorded this week. The outbreaks in the past four weeks mainly occurred in residential care homes for the elderly (39.6 per cent) and primary schools (28.1 per cent).

Situation of neighbouring and overseas areas
--------------------------------------------

The influenza activity of neighbouring areas remained elevated while that of a number of overseas areas in the northern hemisphere has peaked and has been decreasing, with the A(H3N2) virus predominating so far.

In Macau, the percentage that tested positive for H3N2 among ILI patients significantly increased from 6.1 per cent in January to 16.3 per cent to date. In Taiwan, the percentage that tested positive for influenza viruses markedly increased from 17.2 per cent in the last week of January to 41.3 per cent in the first week of February. That in Europe remained at a high level of 49 per cent in the week ending February 15, which is over the threshold of 10 per cent.

In Japan, the average number of reported ILI cases per sentinel site has been decreasing. The percentage that tested positive for influenza viruses in both the United States and Canada has also been decreasing.

Locally, as of February 22, about 248 000 and 240 000 doses of seasonal influenza vaccines have been administered to eligible groups under the Government Vaccination Programme and the Vaccination Subsidy Schemes 2014/15 respectively.

The public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against influenza and other respiratory illnesses:

* Receive seasonal influenza vaccination for personal protection;
* Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
* When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
* Wash or clean hands frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, or after touching public installations such as handrails or door knobs;
* Cover the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
* Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly in a lidded rubbish bin;
* Put on a surgical mask when respiratory symptoms develop;
* Maintain good indoor ventilation;
* When influenza is prevalent, avoid going to crowded or poorly ventilated public places; high-risk individuals may consider putting on surgical masks when staying in such places; and
* Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

The public may visit the CHP's pages below for more information:

* The influenza page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/14843.html);
* The weekly Flu Express report (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/2108.html);
* The update on severe seasonal influenza cases (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/flu_update_en.pdf);
* The vaccination schemes page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/17980.html);
* The list of participating doctors (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/34664.html);
* The Facebook Page (fb.com/CentreforHealthProtection); and
* The YouTube Channel (youtube.com/c/ChpGovHkChannel).
Ends/Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Issued at HKT 18:26

http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201502/25/P201502250270.htm

[JimO]

The number of deaths to ICU admissions seems very high for seasonal flu.

[tetano]

8 severe flu cases reported

February 26, 2015

The Centre for Health Protection has announced that from noon yesterday to noon today, eight new severe adult influenza cases were recorded, including six deaths.

This brings the total number of severe adult cases to 391, including 289 deaths.

The centre urged people to stay vigilant, get vaccinated early, and maintain good personal and environmental hygiene.

http://www.news.gov.hk/en/categories/health/html/2015/02/20150226_163013.shtml

[tetano]

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (March 2) reported the latest surveillance data of the winter influenza season, and again urged the public to heighten vigilance and get vaccinated early against seasonal influenza.

"As most schools resumed after the Lunar New Year, we today issued letters to kindergartens, child care centres and primary and secondary schools as well as special schools to alert them to the current influenza activity, which remains at a high level and is expected to remain so for some time. Continued vigilance is warranted," a spokesman for the CHP said.

"Schools should continue to actively check the body temperature of all students every day to identify those with fever who should not attend school till 48 hours after it subsides. Staff with respiratory illnesses should also refrain from work," the spokesman added.

Schools may refer to the CHP's Guidelines on Prevention of Communicable Diseases (https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/gui...re_centres.pdf) for further information.

Regarding severe cases, from noon yesterday (March 1) to noon today, six additional cases of influenza-associated admission to intensive care units or death (including three deaths) among adults aged 18 or above have been recorded under the enhanced surveillance in collaboration with public and private hospitals reactivated since January 2 and an additional death was recorded among previously reported cases, bringing the total to 421 (310 deaths) so far. Among them, 403 were A(H3N2), two were A(H1N1)pdm09, seven were A pending subtype and nine were B. In the last winter season in early 2014, 266 (133 deaths) were filed.

Meanwhile, no additional cases of severe paediatric influenza-associated complication or death among children aged under 18 have been reported since yesterday via the ongoing reporting system and the total this year hence remains at 17 (one death) and all were A(H3N2). In 2014, 27 cases (four deaths) were filed.

http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201503/02/P201503020742.htm

[JimO]

Seasonal flu death toll in Hong Kong greater than SARS in 2003

The number of people dying of seasonal flu in Hong Kong continued to rise, surpassing the death toll from a SARS outbreak in 2003, the Center for Health Protection said on Sunday.
As of noon, the total number of deaths related to flu stood at 306 adults and one child, with 415 adults and 17 children having required intensive care.
The seasonal flu has stirred worries in Hong Kong, as the epidemic reminded local residents of the SARS outbreak which killed 299 people in 2003.

http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-s...00095&cid=1103

[tetano]

6 March 2015, update

458 ICU admissions
341 deaths
17 pediatric cases ( 1 death)

http://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/flu_update_en.pdf