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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (February 28) investigating a case of severe paediatric Influenza A infection affecting a 4-year-old girl.
The patient, with good past health, presented with convulsion, fever, cough and runny nose on February 23 and attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Yan Chai Hospital. She was subsequently transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of Princess Margaret Hospital for further management on the same day.
The clinical diagnosis was encephalopathy. She is currently in serious condition.
Her nasopharyngeal aspirate tested positive for Influenza A.
She has no recent travel history and her family contacts are asymptomatic.
To prevent respiratory tract infections, a CHP spokesman urged members of the public to take heed of the following advice:
* Build up good body immunity by having a proper diet, regular exercise and adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking;
* Maintain good personal hygiene, wash hands after sneezing or coughing and cleaning the nose, and wear a mask when having symptoms of respiratory tract infections;
* Maintain good ventilation;
* Avoid visiting crowded places with poor ventilation; and
* Receive seasonal influenza vaccination. For details, please visit the Influenza Page of the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/14843.html).
Ends/Thursday, February 28, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:53
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