Commonground
Senior Moderator
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (September 29) announced a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection. The CHP urged schools and parents to arrange for schoolchildren to receive free seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV), as vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications. It also reduces the risk of serious illness or death from infection.
The case involves a 13-year-old girl with good past health. On September 27, she developed a fever, a cough and vomiting. She attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Tuen Mun Hospital yesterday (September 28). Her nasopharyngeal swab specimen tested positive for the influenza A virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A (H3) infection complicated with encephalopathy and shock. She remains hospitalised in the paediatric intensive care unit of the hospital and is in serious condition.
She had not received the 2024/25 SIV. Her household contacts are currently asymptomatic. No influenza outbreaks have been reported at her school recently.
"Hong Kong is currently in the summer influenza season and there has been a significant increase in influenza-like illness outbreaks in schools since September. As of September 28, 207 outbreaks have been reported in schools since the start of the school year in September, including 21 cases in kindergartens/child care centres, 112 cases in primary schools and 74 cases in secondary schools. Eight severe paediatric influenza cases involving children aged 3 to 17 have been recorded since the start of the school year. Six of them had good past health," the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.
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The Government has opened all 29 of the DH's Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) for all children aged 6 months to under 2 years. Moreover, the 25 District Health Centres and District Health Centre Expresses and their service outlets under the Primary Healthcare Commission, and 74 general outpatient clinics and 38 public hospitals of the Hospital Authority to provide more choices for the public. For a list of vaccination venues, please refer to the CHP's Vaccination Schemes page. Parents of eligible children may book an appointment for their children to receive vaccinations at designated MCHCs via the online booking system.
Dr Tsui reminded high-risk individuals to wear surgical masks when staying in crowded places. People with respiratory symptoms, even if mild, should wear a surgical mask and seek medical advice promptly. They should also consider whether to attend work or school.
For the latest information on seasonal influenza, members of the public can visit the CHP's seasonal influenza and COVID-19 & Flu Express webpages
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202509/29/P2025092900789.htm
The case involves a 13-year-old girl with good past health. On September 27, she developed a fever, a cough and vomiting. She attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Tuen Mun Hospital yesterday (September 28). Her nasopharyngeal swab specimen tested positive for the influenza A virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A (H3) infection complicated with encephalopathy and shock. She remains hospitalised in the paediatric intensive care unit of the hospital and is in serious condition.
She had not received the 2024/25 SIV. Her household contacts are currently asymptomatic. No influenza outbreaks have been reported at her school recently.
"Hong Kong is currently in the summer influenza season and there has been a significant increase in influenza-like illness outbreaks in schools since September. As of September 28, 207 outbreaks have been reported in schools since the start of the school year in September, including 21 cases in kindergartens/child care centres, 112 cases in primary schools and 74 cases in secondary schools. Eight severe paediatric influenza cases involving children aged 3 to 17 have been recorded since the start of the school year. Six of them had good past health," the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.
-snip-
The Government has opened all 29 of the DH's Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) for all children aged 6 months to under 2 years. Moreover, the 25 District Health Centres and District Health Centre Expresses and their service outlets under the Primary Healthcare Commission, and 74 general outpatient clinics and 38 public hospitals of the Hospital Authority to provide more choices for the public. For a list of vaccination venues, please refer to the CHP's Vaccination Schemes page. Parents of eligible children may book an appointment for their children to receive vaccinations at designated MCHCs via the online booking system.
Dr Tsui reminded high-risk individuals to wear surgical masks when staying in crowded places. People with respiratory symptoms, even if mild, should wear a surgical mask and seek medical advice promptly. They should also consider whether to attend work or school.
For the latest information on seasonal influenza, members of the public can visit the CHP's seasonal influenza and COVID-19 & Flu Express webpages
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202509/29/P2025092900789.htm