Severe Influenza A Case in Hong Kong: Public Urged to Practice Hygiene Measures

CHP announces case of severe paediatric influenza A infection

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (September 5) announced a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection and urged the public to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene at all times to prevent contracting influenza and other respiratory illnesses.

The case involved a 17-year-old boy with good past health. He developed a fever, cough, sore throat and runny nose on September 3. He went to the Accident and Emergency Department of Tuen Mun Hospital yesterday (September 4) and was arranged to admit to the paediatric intensive care unit of the hospital. His nasopharyngeal swab specimen tested positive for the influenza A (H3) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with shock. He is still hospitalised and is in serious condition.

The boy had no travel history during the incubation period. His household contacts, so far, are asymptomatic.

The CHP investigation showed that the boy did not receive the seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV). Five other students in his class recently developed mild flu symptoms between September 2 and 3. They have sought medical treatment and none of them required hospitalisation. There is no outbreak in other classes so far. Officers of the CHP have conducted onsite inspection, and advised the schools on necessary infection controls measures, including advising students of the concerned class to wear masks in school, opening windows where appropriate for better ventilation in individual activity rooms and classrooms, thorough cleaning and disinfection, and stopping inter-class and inter-grade activities. The CHP also recommended the teachers and students to check their temperature every day before going to school. If they develop symptoms or fever, they should not go to school. The CHP will continue to put the school under medical surveillance.

The CHP's latest surveillance data showed that local influenza activity increased further last week and slightly exceeded the baseline threshold. The CHP will cautiously monitor the short-term trend of influenza activity to determine whether Hong Kong has entered the summer influenza season.

Vaccination is the first line of defence against seasonal influenza, reducing the chance of serious complications or death after infection. Parents are advised to arrange for their children to participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) outreach activities at school or to visit their family doctor for the SIV at the start of the new school year to enhance personal protection.

To protect their health and that of their family members, the public should continue to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene and take the following measures to prevent contracting seasonal influenza and other respiratory illnesses:

Persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) should wear surgical masks to prevent transmission of respiratory viruses; high-risk persons (e.g. persons with underlying medical conditions or persons who are immunocompromised) should also wear surgical masks when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;

Avoid touching one's eyes, mouth and nose;

Practise hand hygiene frequently, 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;

Cover the mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;

Maintain good indoor ventilation;

Avoid sharing personal items;

When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, consider refraining from going to work or school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly; and

Maintain a balanced diet, perform physical activity regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

​​For the latest information, members of the public can visit the CHP'sseasonal influenzaandCOVID-19 & Flu Expresswebpages.

Source: AI-found images

Scam alert related to banks

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to the press releases issued by the banks listed below relating to fraudulent websites, internet banking login screens, phishing emails or other scams, which have been reported to the HKMA. Hyperlinks to the press releases are available on theHKMA website.

Bank

Type of scam

The Bank of East Asia, Limited

Fraudulent websites, internet banking login screens and phishing email

Shanghai Commercial Bank Limited

Fraudulent website and internet banking login screen

OCBC Bank (Hong Kong) Limited

Fraudulent website and internet banking login screen

Chong Hing Bank Limited

Fraudulent website and internet banking login screen

Chiyu Banking Corporation Limited

Fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens

The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks' websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).

Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the scams concerned, should contact the relevant bank with the information provided in the corresponding press release, and report the matter to the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

Source: AI-found images