Breaking news: chp probes tragic case of child flu fatality
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (April 20) investigating a fatal case of paediatric influenza A infection and reminded the community to heighten vigilance against influenza. The CHP appealed to members of the public to receive seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) in a timely manner to better protect themselves during the influenza season.
The case involves an 8-year-old girl with good past health. She developed a fever and cough since April 17, and developed convulsions on the following day (April 18). She was taken to the Accident and Emergency Department of Kwong Wah Hospital on the same day where she was admitted for treatment. Her respiratory specimen was positive for influenza A (H1) virus upon laboratory testing. Her condition deteriorated after admission and she passed away on April 18.
Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that the patient had not received SIV for this season and had no travel history during the incubation period. Her home contacts are currently asymptomatic. The CHP's investigations are ongoing.
A spokesman for the CHP said, "Influenza can cause serious illnesses in high-risk individuals and even healthy persons. SIV is one of the most effective means to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications, as well as reducing influenza-related hospitalisation and death. SIV is recommended for all persons aged 6 months or above except those with known contraindications. Persons at higher risk of getting influenza and its complications, including the elderly and children, should receive SIV early. As it takes about two weeks to develop antibodies, members of the public are advised to receive SIV early for protection against seasonal influenza. Please see details of the vaccination schemes on the CHP's website."
A person who gets influenza and COVID-19 at the same time may be more seriously ill and would have a higher risk of death. It is important to receive both SIV and COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible, in particular for children and elderly persons residing in the community or residential care homes. The public should also maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against influenza and other respiratory illnesses, and note the following:
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âThe public may visit the CHP's influenza page and weekly COVID-19 & Flu Express for more information.
Source: AI-generated images
New report reveals the cleanest beaches for your perfect summer day
âThe Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (May 3) released the latest grading of water quality for 39 gazetted beaches (see Note 1) and one non-gazetted beach (see Note 2).
Twenty-two beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), 12 as Fair (Grade 2), four as Poor (Grade 3) and two as Very Poor (Grade 4).
Grade 1 beaches are:
Big Wave Bay Beach* |
Middle Bay Beach |
Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach* |
Pui O Beach* |
Chung Hom Kok Beach |
Repulse Bay Beach* |
Clear Water Bay Second Beach* |
Shek O Beach* |
Deep Water Bay Beach* |
South Bay Beach* |
Hap Mun Bay Beach* |
St. Stephen's Beach |
Hung Shing Yeh Beach* |
Stanley Main Beach* |
Kiu Tsui Beach |
Tai Po Lung Mei Beach* |
Kwun Yam Beach |
Tong Fuk Beach |
Lo So Shing Beach |
Turtle Cove Beach |
Lower Cheung Sha Beach |
Upper Cheung Sha Beach |
Grade 2 beaches are:
Butterfly Beach* |
Golden Beach* |
Cafeteria New Beach |
Kadoorie Beach* |
Cafeteria Old Beach |
Silver Mine Bay Beach* |
Clear Water Bay First Beach |
Silverstrand Beach* |
Castle Peak Beach |
Ting Kau Beach* |
Discovery Bay Tai Pak Beach |
Trio Beach |
Grade 3 beaches are:
Approach Beach |
Hoi Mei Wan Beach |
Casam Beach* |
Lido Beach* |
Grade 4 beaches are:
Anglers' Beach* |
Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach* |
Compared with the grading released last week, Shek O Beach has been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1. Cafeteria New Beach, Cafeteria Old Beach, Golden Beach, Kadoorie Beach, Silver Mine Bay Beach, Silverstrand Beach and Trio Beach have been changed from Grade 1 to Grade 2, Approach Beach, Casam Beach, and Hoi Mei Wan Beach from Grade 2 to Grade 3, and Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach from Grade 3 to Grade 4.
"We observed water quality deterioration at several beaches in Tsuen Wan District, which was largely due to the prolonged unstable weather in the past two weeks. We will continue to closely monitor the beaches," an EPD spokesman said.
Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades, namely Good (Grade 1), Fair (Grade 2), Poor (Grade 3) and Very Poor (Grade 4), according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.
While the ratings represent the general water quality at the beaches, the EPD spokesman reminded members of the public that water quality could be temporarily affected during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a tropical cyclone or heavy rainfall.
A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the EPD's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666. Members of the public can also obtain the latest daily water quality forecast information for all beaches that are open for swimming through the Beach Water Quality Forecast mobile application (available for download from: www.epd.gov.hk/en/BWQApp) or the dedicated beach water quality forecast page (www.epd.gov.hk/en/BWQForecast) on the EPD's beach thematic website.
Note 1: Lifesaving services are provided by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department at 22 gazetted beaches, marked with an asterisk (*) above, from April 1. Due to the damage caused to the footpaths leading to Chung Hom Kok Beach by landslides, the beach is temporarily closed until further notice. For details, please refer to the Leisure and Cultural Services Department's Special Announcement (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/beach/index.html).
Note 2: This refers to Discovery Bay Tai Pak Beach which is a non-gazetted beach that has no lifesaving service.
Source: AI-generated images
