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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (January 19) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection affecting a four-year-old girl.
The patient, with good past health, presented with fever and cough since January 15. She was admitted to St Teresa's Hospital on January 17 and transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of Queen Elizabeth Hospital the following day for further management. Her clinical diagnosis was pneumonia.
Her respiratory specimen tested positive for influenza A(H1). She is currently in serious condition.
She has no recent travel history. Her home contacts are asymptomatic.
To prevent respiratory tract infections, a spokesman for the CHP 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 symptoms of respiratory tract infection develop;
* 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/Sunday, January 19, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:36
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