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 30) recorded another severe paediatric influenza infection case. The CHP urged parents to arrange for their children 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 1-year-old boy with good past health. He developed a fever, cough and runny nose on November 26 and sought medical attention from a private doctor on the same day. Since he developed shortness of breath yesterday (November 29), he was brought to the Accident and Emergency Department of Tuen Mun Hospital and was admitted. Due to worsening of symptoms, he was transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit of the hospital for further treatment. He is currently in serious condition. His nasopharyngeal swab specimen tested positive for influenza A (H3) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis is influenza A infection complicated with pneumonia and croup.
The boy has not yet received the 2025/26 SIV and had no travel history during the incubation period. Two of his household contacts developed mild respiratory symptoms recently, but did not require hospitalisation.
Including the abovementioned case, there have been 23 severe influenza cases involving children so far this summer influenza season, including three fatal cases. The affected children aged 11 months to 17 years. A total of 14 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 has gradually declined since late October. However, it remains above the baseline thresholds. 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 17 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 Head of Communicable Disease Branch of the CHP, Dr Albert Au, 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.
Photo source: AI-found image
Traffic and public transport arrangements upon commissioning of Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section) (with photos / video)
The Transport Department (TD) said today (December 16) that, upon the commissioning of the Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section) (CKB (YMT Section)), respective traffic and public transport arrangements will be implemented.
Traffic arrangements
The CKB (YMT Section) connects Yau Ma Tei Interchange in West Kowloon and the Kai Tak Interchange in East Kowloon. At the Yau Ma Tei end, there are seven entrances and exits. Motorists can travel to and from Tsim Sha Tsui, the Western Harbour Crossing, Tai Kok Tsui or Kwai Chung via Hoi Po Road, West Kowloon Highway and Lin Cheung Road. At the Kai Tak end, the eight entrances and exits enable motorists to travel to and from Kai Tak, Kowloon Bay, the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal or Kwun Tong via Shing Kai Road, Kai Cheung Road and Kai Fuk Road (see details in Annex 1). Upon its commissioning, it will divert the traffic along the existing major east-west corridors in Kowloon and alleviate the traffic congestion during peak hours.
Appropriate traffic signs and road markings have been put in place on relevant road sections to guide motorists to enter and exit the Bypass for various destinations. The TD appealed to motorists to heed traffic signs on-site and drive carefully when passing through road sections concerned, and reduce speed and be courteous when approaching the new merging points.
Public transport arrangements
From December 22 (Monday), the first working day upon commissioning, a total of eight bus routes, comprising three new routes and adjusting five existing routes, will provide services via the CKB (YMT Section) during peak hours on Mondays to Fridays (except public holidays):
Three new routes via Bypass |
Adjusting five existing routes to run through Bypass |
KMB route No. 33X (Tsuen Wan West Station -Yau Tong)
KMB route No. 252S (Handsome Court -Kwun Tong Ferry)
Citybus route No. A28X (Tseung Kwan O Station to Airport (Ground Transportation Centre))
KMB route No. 258X (Po Tin -Kwun Tong Ferry)
KMB route No. 259S (Lung Mun Oasis -Kwun Tong Ferry)
KMB route No. 259X (Lung Mun Oasis -Kwun Tong Ferry)
KMB route No. 268P (Ma Wang Road -Kwun Tong Ferry)
KMB route No. 269S (Tin Shui Wai Town Centre -Kwun Tong Ferry)
The above franchised bus routes plying via the CKB (YMT Section) will provide convenience for passengers across various districts. While journey times of travelling between East and West Kowloon will be significantly shortened, as the Bypass connects with the West Kowloon Highway, travelling times of long-haul bus routes operating between East Kowloon and New Territories West (including Tuen Mun, Yuen Long and Tsuen Wan) will be substantially reduced, improving their efficiency.
In the initial period upon the commissioning of the CKB (YMT Section), as motorists may take time to adapt to new road sections, it is anticipated that traffic may be busier during various periods. The TD urged motorists to refer to the driving videos of different driving routes set out in the driving guide and the TD's YouTube channel playlist, and choose appropriate routes for their journeys subject to actual traffic conditions.
A spokesman for the TD said, "The Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre will closely monitor the traffic condition of the CKB (YMT Section) upon commissioning, including the traffic flow and public transport services of road sections connecting the existing road network and trunk roads across the territory. Motorists, transport trades and the public should plan ahead their journeys, and reserve time to adapt to new routes and adjust their commuting habits."
The TD also reminds passengers to refer to the notices, websites or mobile apps of bus operators to take note of the new arrangements of the routes plying via the CKB (YMT Section), as well as their bus stop locations and service hours. The TD has steered bus operators to closely monitor the operations of these routes and reserve standby vehicles and manpower to meet passenger demand. The TD will continue to proactively discuss with bus operators any additional routes or adjustment to existing ones to make better use of the capacity of the Bypass for the benefit of more passengers.
The Government has briefed District Councils concerned and stakeholders on the above arrangements, including distributing pamphlets to District Council members, district personalities, neighbouring housing estates and schools, relevant motoring associations and public transport operators on various driving routes. The Highways Department and the TD have stepped up publicity since December to remind motorists about the new arrangements via large banners, tunnel broadcasts, variable message signs on major roads and electronic parking meters in the districts in phases.
Members of the public may refer to the TD's webpage on CKB (YMT Section) and the HKeMobility mobile app for details of the traffic and transport arrangements. They should also heed the latest traffic news through radio and TV broadcasts, the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk) and the HKeMobility.
Traffic and public transport arrangements upon commissioning of Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section) (with photos / video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Traffic and public transport arrangements upon commissioning of Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section) (with photos / video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Traffic and public transport arrangements upon commissioning of Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section) (with photos / video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
