DH urges people to get vaccinated as flu season approaches
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (January 2) said that the local seasonal influenza activity has continued to rise over the past week. As the weather gets colder, the seasonal influenza activity is expected to increase further and may exceed the threshold levels in the next one to two weeks, indicating that Hong Kong is about to enter the influenza season. To protect their health and that of their family members, all persons aged 6 months and above (except those with known contraindications) who have not yet received the seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) should act immediately. High-risk groups should also get vaccinated against COVID-19 concurrently to minimise the risk of serious complications and death after infection.
"The latest surveillance data (as of the week ending December 28, 2024) showed that the positive percentage of influenza detections among respiratory specimens in the past two weeks increased from 1.35 per cent to 3.5 per cent, while the admission rate of patients diagnosed with influenza in public hospitals increased from 0.08 to 0.23 cases per 10 000 population, representing a significant increase in both indicators," a spokesman for the CHP said.
Based on the statistical methodology recommended by the World Health Organization, the CHP sets threshold levels for the above two important influenza indicators to determine whether Hong Kong enters an influenza season. The threshold levels were 4.94 per cent and 0.27 cases per 10 000 population respectively. Both figures exceeding the threshold levels indicate that Hong Kong has entered the influenza season.
"Based on the latest surveillance data, past epidemiological analysis and other factors such as weather, the CHP anticipated that Hong Kong may enter the influenza season in the next one to two weeks. All sectors of the community should heighten their vigilance and step up personal protection measures. Influenza vaccination has been scientifically proven to be one of the most effective ways to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications, while significantly reducing the risk of hospitalisation and death from seasonal influenza. Therefore, members of the public, particularly children, the elderly and chronic disease patients, should receive SIV as soon as possible. Strict personal, hand and environmental hygiene should also be observed at all times. People with respiratory symptoms, even if mild, should wear surgical masks and seek medical advice promptly, and should not go to work or school to minimise the risk of disease transmission," the spokesperson said.
As there has been a significant increase in influenza activities in Europe, North America and some parts of Asia (including the Mainland, Japan and Korea), the CHP also reminds those who plan to travel during the Lunar New Year holidays to get vaccinated against influenza as early as possible, pay attention to the influenza situation at their destinations and take appropriate personal protective measures before travelling.
"According to further analysis of the relationship between SIV and 31 cases of severe paediatric influenza-associated complications and deaths recorded during the influenza season from January to July in 2024, the CHP found that the rate of children aged between 6 months and 17 years, who had not received the SIV of that season and subsequently contracted influenza with severe complications or deaths, was about 3.2 times that of the vaccinated children. The protective effect is more pronounced in younger children; for example, in the 2- to 5-year-old age group, the relevant rate among unvaccinated children was about 6.4 times that of vaccinated children. Based on this, SIV is one of the most effective means to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications," the spokesperson said.
The Government has long been encouraging the public to receive vaccinations early, and providing free and subsidised SIV to eligible children, the elderly and other target groups through various Government vaccination programmes. The response has been encouraging. As of December 29, 2024, a total of about 1 806 000 doses of seasonal influenza vaccines have been administered under various SIV programmes, an increase of about 5.3 per cent over the same period in 2023. Among them, the number of schools participating in the SIV School Outreach Programme has significantly increased. So far, about 960 kindergartens and child care centres (91 per cent), 630 primary schools (96 per cent) and 470 secondary schools (94 per cent) have participated in SIV school outreach activities, which is higher than last year's rate (about 80 per cent for kindergartens and child care centres, 95 per cent for primary schools and 70 per cent for secondary schools participated last year). The increase in secondary schools is particularly obvious.
As of December 29, 2024, the SIV coverage rate for children aged 6 months to under 2 years was at a low level of about 16.9 per cent, which was slightly higher than that of the same period in 2023 but still lower than that of other age groups of children. To enhance vaccination services for children aged 6 months to under 2 years and to boost the vaccination rate, the Government has opened the DH's Maternal & Child Health Centres (MCHCs) to all children aged 6 months to under 2 years to facilitate children's access to vaccinations as far as possible. Parents may book an appointment for their children to receive vaccinations at designated MCHCs via the online booking system.
In addition, as patients contracting both influenza and COVID-19 are more likely to develop serious complications and die, the CHP strongly urges those who have not received the initial dose of COVID-19 vaccine, especially young children over 6 months and elderly people, to receive an initial dose as soon as possible. Those high-risk groups should, in a timely manner, receive an additional booster dose six months after the last dose or COVID-19 infection (whichever is later), regardless of the number of doses received previously. All eligible persons can make appointments through the Government'sonline booking platformto receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
The CHP will continue to closely monitor the situation of seasonal influenza both locally and overseas. For the latest information, members of the public can visit the CHP'sseasonal influenzaandCOVID-19 & Flu Expresswebpages. Details of the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme can also be found on the CHP'sthematic website.
Update on chikungunya fever
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that, as of 5pm today (January 11), no new cases of chikungunya fever (CF) had been recorded.
Latest surveillance data
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Hong Kong has recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases last year. Among them, 11 were local cases, and the rest were imported cases.
Since the beginning of 2025, and as of December 10, 2025, a total of 502 264 CF cases and 186 CF-related deaths have been reported in over 40 countries/territories. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Although the northern hemisphere has entered the winter season, temperatures in subtropical and some temperate regions remain elevated due to climate change, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. In addition, CF outbreaks continue to occur in many countries worldwide. The risk of imported cases persists. Members of the public should check the situation of the destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries.
Government's comprehensive follow-up actions
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Given that some local cases of CF have visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails or the surrounding area in November last year, the trails are currently closed until further notice. Relevant government departments continue to conduct large-scale mosquito control and prevention efforts along the trails, and the CHP appeals to the public not to enter the area in order to reduce the risk of contracting CF and to avoid exposure to chemicals or interfering with the mosquito control operations. Since the confirmation on December 10, 2025, of a case involving a person who had visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails on November 30, 2025, no further local cases have been recorded to date. The CHP continues to urge individuals who have recently hiked along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails to seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop relevant symptoms and to call the enquiry hotline (Tel: 2125 2373), which operates from 9am to 6pm.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has been continuously conducting intensive fogging operations to eliminate adult mosquitoes along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails and the surrounding area. At suitable locations, large ultra-low volume foggers have been deployed, and a robot dog is being put on trial to enhance operational effectiveness. The FEHD has also set up new mosquito trapping devices, cleared discarded containers and garbage that could cause stagnant water, and applied larvicide oil or larvicides in areas with stagnant water that cannot be removed immediately. The FEHD has been collaborating with the Kwai Tsing District Office, the Lands Department and the Drainage Services Department to strengthen efforts in eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails. Pamphlets have been distributed to hikers in the area, urging citizens to be vigilant against mosquito infestations and take personal protective measures. The FEHD has also held meetings of the interdepartmental task forces on anti-mosquito work across districts to discuss the latest developments regarding the situation and plan accordingly to co-ordinate relevant departments and stakeholders in strengthening mosquito prevention and control measures in areas under their purview.
Continuously strengthening prevention and control
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The FEHD and relevant departments have comprehensively enhanced the mosquito control operations in Hong Kong since July last year, and this has continued. Among these, the FEHD has conducted vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations against the imported and local cases. In light of the local case, the FEHD has immediately conducted follow-up actions, including:
carrying out intensive fogging in scrubby areas within a 250-metre radius of the relevant locations to kill adult mosquitoes;
carrying out inspections of the locations, removing stagnant water, applying insecticides and disposing of abandoned water containers every week with a view to preventing mosquito breeding; and
enhancing public education efforts through organising health talks, setting up mobile education stations, and distributing publicity leaflets.
The abovementioned measures will be continued. Furthermore, the Government will further enhance the mosquito control efforts in addition to the existing measures.
Preventive measures to be taken by the public
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Members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:
read the label instructions carefully first;
apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;
apply on exposed skin and clothing;
use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (for children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);
apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;
reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and
in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.
The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook Page,Instagram AccountandYouTube Channel, and also theMosquito Prevention and Control dedicated pageof the FEHD.
Source: AI-found images
