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Hong Kong has entered winter influenza season
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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 13) appealed to members of the public to stay vigilant against seasonal influenza as the latest surveillance data showed that there was an increase in the local influenza activity, signalling that Hong Kong had entered the winter influenza season.

     The weekly number of influenza virus detections reported by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch increased from 134 in the week ending December 28, 2013, to 496 in that ending January 11, 2014. The percentage tested positive for influenza viruses also increased from 6.2 per cent among specimens received in the week ending December 22 to 12.7 per cent in that ending January 5. The current major circulating influenza viruses for the past week were influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 (49.4 per cent), influenza A(H3N2) (29.6 per cent) and influenza B(20.8 per cent). The viruses characterised to date have been similar to the current local vaccine viruses in this season.

     The weekly influenza-like illness (ILI) consultation rates among both sentinel General Out-patient Clinics and private doctors have steadily increased in the past few weeks. Furthermore, the number of ILI outbreaks in institutions and schools increased from two in the week ending January 4 to seven in that ending January 11.

     Since January 3, the CHP has collaborated with the Hospital Authority and private hospitals to enhance surveillance over patients with severe influenza who required intensive care admission or died during the winter influenza season. As of noon today, 23 cases (including nine deaths) have been reported. At the same time, the CHP will continue to closely monitor cases with severe paediatric influenza-associated complications or deaths. As of 6pm today, three cases (no deaths) have been reported.

     "We will closely monitor overseas and local influenza activity as Hong Kong has entered the winter influenza season," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     Given that influenza vaccines are safe and effective and that serious influenza infection can occur even in healthy individuals, seasonal influenza vaccination is suitable for personal protection against clinical influenza for all persons except those with known contraindications. In addition, as influenza can cause serious complications especially among vulnerable groups such as the elderly, young children, persons with underlying illnesses and even healthy persons, the spokesman strongly advised target groups of influenza vaccination as well as all members of the public to take the opportunity to receive vaccination as the protective immune response takes about two to four weeks to develop after vaccination.

     As of January 12, about 215 000 and 206 000 doses of seasonal influenza vaccines have been administered to target groups respectively under the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme and the Government Vaccination Programme 2013/14, 32 000 and 6 000 more than those in the same period last season.

     Members of the public are reminded to take heed of the following preventive measures against influenza and other respiratory illnesses:

* Build up good body immunity by having a proper diet, regular exercise and adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking;
* Maintain good personal and environmental hygiene;
* Wash hands after sneezing, coughing or cleaning the nose;
* Maintain good ventilation;
* Avoid visiting crowded places with poor ventilation; and
* Wear surgical masks and seek medical advice promptly if symptoms of respiratory tract infections or fever develop.

     The public may visit the CHP's influenza page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/14843.html) for more information on influenza and its prevention.

Ends/Monday, January 13, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:45

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