CHP urges public to promptly receive seasonal influenza vaccination as severe paediatric influenza infection case was recorded in two consecutive days
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (November 19) 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) promptly, 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 12-year-old boy with good past health. He attended the United Christian Hospital on November 15 due to his other medical condition and was admitted for treatment. He developed a fever and cough on November 18. His nasopharyngeal swab specimen tested positive for influenza A virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with shock. He remains hospitalised in the paediatric intensive care unitand is in serious condition.
The boy had not yet received the 2025/26 SIV and had no travel history recently. His household contact is currently asymptomatic and no influenza outbreaks have been reported at his school recently.
Including the abovementioned case, there have been 20 severe influenza cases involving children so far this summer influenza season, including two fatal cases. The affected children aged 11 months to 17 years. Eleven cases have been recorded since the launch of this year's SIV Programmes, with only one having received this year's SIV four days prior to the onset of illness. As it generally takes two weeks for the body to develop sufficient protection after vaccination, in other words, these severe influenza cases are not protected by the vaccine.
"According to the latest surveillance data, influenza activity began to decline in the last week of October. However, it remains at a relatively high level. As the weather turns cooler, influenza activity may still fluctuate. Moreover, a winter influenza season may occur early next year. Therefore, I once again urge all persons aged 6 months or above, except those with known contraindications, who have not yet received the SIV to do so promptly. Compared to the winter influenza season earlier this year, there have been more severe paediatric influenza infection cases this season. Currently, among children aged below 18 years, the coverage rate of children aged 6 months to under 2 years is relatively low, at nearly 16 per cent only. Parents should not hesitate and should contact their family doctors as soon as possible to arrange for their children, as well as themselves and other family members, to receive the SIV," the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.
He also reminded members of the public that, especially children, the elderly and those with underlying illnesses, should seek medical advice promptly if they present 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 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.
Separately, high-risk individuals should 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.
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's seasonal influenza and COVID-19 & Flu Express webpages.
The Centre for Health Protection, Photo source: reference image
CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to visit Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and Xiong'an New Area in Hebei
The delegation of the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis, led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (April 1) continued its visit. Representatives from the eight University Grants Committee-funded universities also joined the delegation today. They visited the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and Xiong'an New Area in Hebei, which are listed as part of the "one core and two wings" national development strategy, to learn about practical experience in large-scale new area planning and construction, with a view to providing solid reference for the planning and construction of the Northern Metropolis University Town (NMUT).
In the morning, the delegation visited the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center, touring the planning exhibition hall, the Yunhe Business District, the Beijing Library and the Grand Canal Museum of Beijing. They learned about the overall planning and development of the Center, its experience in attracting and concentrating higher education resources, as well as promoting the integration of the industry, academic and research sectors. They also observed the canal-side development and conservation and the construction of major public cultural facilities there.
Mr Chan said that the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center has been developed into a world-class harmonious and liveable demonstration area through high-standard planning, green and smart development, and a model of integration between campus and city. He said he hopes to draw on its valuable experience in relieving city functions, sharing resources, and innovation ecosystems, thereby providing practical inspiration for the top-level design, smart campus development and sustainable growth of the NMUT.
In the afternoon, the delegation visited Xiong'an New Area in Hebei, touring the comprehensive service centre of Xiong'an's start-up area. They learned about its planning and construction, as well as its "one-stop" integrated services for relieving Beijing of functions that are not essential to its role as the nation's capital. Subsequently, the delegation visited the University Town of Fifth Cluster North Collaborative Innovation Exhibition Hall and the Beijing Forestry University Xiong'an Campus Smart Exhibition Hall and project construction site.
Mr Chan said that the first batch of Beijing universities' campuses in Xiong'an has entered a large-scale construction stage, achieving campus-city integration, deep integration of industry and education, and smart and green development, injecting strong innovative vitality into the new area. He added that the delegation learned about Xiong'an New Area's experience in fields such as higher education institution and industry linkage, infrastructure-led development, and sustainable planning. It will provide valuable insights for the high-quality planning and construction of the NMUT, helping it develop into a hub for international education, innovation, and technology.
Mr Chan, the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, and other members of the delegation returned to Beijing tonight and will continue their visit tomorrow (April 2).
CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to visit Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and Xiong'an New Area in Hebei (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to visit Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and Xiong'an New Area in Hebei (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to visit Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and Xiong'an New Area in Hebei (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to visit Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and Xiong'an New Area in Hebei (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to visit Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and Xiong'an New Area in Hebei (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to visit Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and Xiong'an New Area in Hebei (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to visit Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and Xiong'an New Area in Hebei (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to visit Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and Xiong'an New Area in Hebei (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to visit Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and Xiong'an New Area in Hebei (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
