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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is drawing public attention to its investigation into two cases of severe paediatric influenza B infection.
The first case involves an eight-month old baby boy who presented with fever on February 15 and developed facial twitching on February 16. He was admitted to a private hospital on February 16 and transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of Queen Elizabeth Hospital today (February 17).
The clinical diagnosis was meningoencephalitis. His current condition is stable.
His nasopharyngeal swab tested positive for influenza B.
He lives with his grandparents. His grandmother had upper respiratory tract infection symptoms, but no fever.
The second case involves a 14-year-old boy who presented with fever on February 1 and developed convulsion on February 4. He was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital on February 4.
The clinical diagnosis was viral encephalitis. He was discharged on February 11.
Nasopharyngeal aspirate taken from the patient tested positive for influenza B.
He did not have recent travel history. He lives with his parents, who were asymptomatic.
A spokesman reminded members of the public to stay vigilant and take precautionary measures against influenza.
They are advised to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene and build up good body immunity by having a proper diet and regular exercise, taking adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking.
More details on prevention of influenza are available on the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk).
Ends/Friday, February 17, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:20
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