***********************
A spokesman for the Centre of Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) has reminded the public to stay vigilant against influenza.
While Hong Kong has entered the winter peak influenza season, the spokesman said influenza activity is expected to increase further during the next few weeks. CHP is closely monitoring influenza activity in the community.
During the week ending January 22, a total of 105 influenza isolates were detected by Public Health Laboratory Centre. The majority (81%) of them were influenza A (H1N1) 2009, followed by influenza A (H3N2) (10%) and influenza B (7%).
The number of influenza-like-illness outbreaks occurring in institutions and schools increased from 18 in the week ending January 15 to 59 in the week ending January 22. In the first two days of this week (as at 2pm), CHP recorded 10 reports of influenza-like-illness outbreaks occurring in institutions and schools.
CHP liaises with the Hospital Authority (HA) in monitoring the daily number of severe influenza cases admitted to intensive care units (ICU). As at 4pm today (January 24), there are 14 ICU patients with laboratory confirmation of influenza in public hospitals under HA. At the same time, CHP is also requesting private hospitals to report severe influenza cases admitted to intensive care units during the current winter influenza season.
As for children suffering from severe complications of influenza, during the week ending January 22 and in the first two days of this week (as at 4pm today), CHP received four reports of severe paediatric influenza-associated complications, involving three boys and one girl. Their ages ranged from four months to three years old. They have been admitted to the Queen Mary Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Tseung Kwan O Hospital respectively. One of them was discharged.
Statistics about serious cases will be uploaded to the CHP website at www.chp.gov.hk/en/content/5473.html every working day from tomorrow (January 25).
The spokesman stressed that the currently circulating influenza viruses, namely influenza A (H1N1)2009 (i.e., human swine influenza), influenza B and influenza A (H3N2), are antigenically similar to this year's vaccine viruses, so the vaccine would be able to provide protection against influenza infection. He strongly urged target groups to receive influenza vaccination as soon as possible to protect their health.
The DH's hotline 2833 0111 provides general health education in the form of pre-recorded messages about seasonal influenza. The public can also dial 2125 2125 for questions about Influenza Vaccination Subsidy Schemes operated by DH. More information about seasonal influenza is available at the CHP website (www.chp.gov.hk).
Ends/Monday, January 24, 2011
Issued at HKT 20:06
NNNN
