CHP urges public to promptly receive seasonal influenza vaccination as another severe paediatric influenza infection case reported
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (November 7) recorded a severe paediatric influenza infection case. The CHP reiterated its appeal to urge 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 13-year-old boy with good past health. He has developed a fever since October 24, the situation persisted and he further developed cough, sore throat and runny nose since October 29. He attended a private hospital on November 1 and was admitted for treatment. He was transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit of Queen Mary Hospitalyesterday (November 6). He is currently in stable condition. His nasopharyngeal swab specimen tested positive for influenza A virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with pneumonia and pleural effusion.
One of his household contacts developed influenza-like illness symptoms recently, and subsequently recovered. Four of his schoolmates in the same form recently developed respiratory symptoms, one of them required hospitalisation and was subsequently discharged after recovery, whose nasopharyngeal swab specimens also tested positive for influenza A virus. The symptoms of the other three patients are mild and hospitalisation was not required. The CHP has advised the school to implement the necessary infection control measures and will continue to put the school under medical surveillance.
Including the abovementioned case, there have been 17 severe paediatric influenza cases since the start of the school year in September, including one fatal case. The affected children aged 11 months to 17 years, with 12 having good past health and 11 had not received SIV for the season.
"Hong Kong is currently in the summer influenza season, with influenza activity steadily rising since early September. It peaked in mid-October and has remained at high levels since then. According to the latest surveillance data, influenza activity began to decline in the last week of October. The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for seasonal influenza viruses decreased from approximately 12 per cent in mid-October to 8.73 per cent while the influenza admission rate in public hospitals fell from 0.89 cases per 10 000 population to 0.53 cases. Based on current trends, influenza activity is expected to remain at relatively high levels in the coming weeks. However, as the weather turns cooler, fluctuations cannot be ruled out. We need to observe for another one to two weeks to confirm whether influenza activity has peaked. Based on past experience, Hong Kong's winter influenza season typically occurs between January and March. Therefore, a resurgence early next year cannot be ruled out. I urge all persons aged 6 months or above, except those with known contraindications, who have not yet received the SIV, to act promptly, particularly those high-risk groups such as the elderly, children, and adults with underlying illnesses and immunosuppression. Members of the public may also contact their family doctors to arrange for vaccinations," the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.
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.
"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 an AED 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," Dr Tsui said.
In addition to issuing timely reminders to healthcare professionals and schools based on the latest seasonal influenza development, the CHP also uploads the latest seasonal influenza information on its website weekly. Members of the public can visit the CHP'sseasonal influenzaandCOVID-19 & Flu Expresswebpages.
Source: AI-found images
