CHP urges schoolchildren to promptly receive seasonal influenza vaccination as severe paediatric influenza infection case was recorded over two consecutive days
Following yesterday's (October 20) announcement ofa case of severe paediatric influenza A infection, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (October 21) recorded another severe case.The CHP reiterated its appeal to schools and parents to arrange for schoolchildren to receive free seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV), as it is one of the most effective ways to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications. Vaccination also reduces the risk of serious illness or death from infection.
The case involves a 2-year-old girl with underlyingillness. She has developed a fever, cough and shortness of breathsince October 10. She attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Princess Margaret Hospitalon October 16 and was admitted for treatment. She is currently in critical condition. Her nasopharyngeal swab specimen tested positive for the influenza A(H1)virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with severe pneumonia.
The girl had not received the 2025/26 SIV yet. Her household contacts are currently asymptomatic and 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 illnessoutbreaks in schools since September. As of October 21, 587 outbreaks have been reported in schools since the start of the school year in September, including 62 cases in kindergartens/child care centres, 315 cases in primary schools and 210 cases in secondary schools. Including the above case, 12 severe paediatric influenza cases, including one fatal case, involving children aged 2 to 17 have been recorded since the start of the school year. Nine of them had good past health," the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.
"Members of the public, especially children, the elderly and those with underlying illnesses, should seek medical advice promptly if presented with fever and respiratory symptoms, for early treatment. As children with influenza can deteriorate rapidly, parents must pay close attention to their children's condition. They should go to the Accident and Emergency Department immediately if the child's condition deteriorates, for example if they develop symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, blue lips, chest pain, confusion, a persistent fever or convulsions," he added.
The 2025/26 SIV Programmes have commenced, offering free or subsidised SIV to eligible high-risk groups through various vaccination programmes. This year, all schools may choose to use the live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV nasal vaccines) and "hybrid mode", i.e. schools are allowed to choose both injectable inactivated influenza vaccines and LAIV for the same or different outreach vaccination activities.
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 District Health Centres and District Health Centre Expresses and their service outlets under the Primary Healthcare Commission in the 18 districts, and 74 Family Medicine 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'sVaccination Schemespage. Parents of eligible children may book an appointment for their children to receive vaccinations at designated MCHCs via theonline 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'sseasonal influenzaandCOVID-19 & Flu Expresswebpages.
Source: AI-found images
