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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (April 15) reported the latest surveillance data of the winter influenza season, and again urged the public to heighten vigilance and get vaccinated early against seasonal influenza.
"The latest surveillance data show that the overall influenza activity was close to the baseline level. We will continue to closely monitor whether it will remain at a low level in the coming week," a spokesman for the CHP said.
Laboratory surveillance
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The percentage that tested positive for seasonal influenza viruses was 10.5 per cent in the first and the second week of April among respiratory specimens received by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch. Among influenza virus detections last week, 64.6 per cent were A(H3N2) while 31.9 per cent were B.
Severe cases
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From noon yesterday (April 14) to noon today, three additional cases of influenza-associated death among adults aged 18 or above had been recorded under the enhanced surveillance in collaboration with public and private hospitals reactivated since January 2, bringing the total of severe cases to 626 (484 deaths) so far. Among them, 585 were A(H3N2), eight were A(H1N1)pdm09, six were A pending subtype and 27 were B. In the last winter season in early 2014, 266 cases (133 deaths) were filed.
Meanwhile, no additional cases of severe paediatric influenza-associated complication or death among children aged under 18 have been reported since yesterday via the ongoing reporting system and the total this year hence remains at 18 (one death) and all were A(H3N2). In 2014, 27 cases (four deaths) were filed.
Institutional outbreaks
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Turning to influenza-like illness (ILI), no institutional outbreaks were reported to the CHP yesterday (April 14). Last week, eight outbreaks affecting 36 persons were recorded, compared with four (16 persons) in the preceding one. As of yesterday, one (seven persons) had been recorded so far this week.
Vaccination
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As of April 12, about 258 000 doses and 249 000 doses of influenza vaccines had been administered to eligible groups under the Government Vaccination Programme and the Vaccination Subsidy Schemes 2014/15 respectively, representing increases of 8 per cent and 5 per cent from the same period of last year.
Neighbouring and overseas areas
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In Taiwan, the percentage that tested positive for influenza viruses decreased to 19.8 per cent in the fourth week of March from 32.9 per cent in the preceding one, but was still above the baseline. In Europe, the proportion of influenza virus detections in sentinel specimens stood at 36 per cent in the week ending April 5, which is also over the threshold. The B virus detections have been on the rise.
In Japan, the average number of reported ILI cases per sentinel site has been decreasing. The percentage that tested positive for influenza viruses in the United States, Canada and England has also been decreasing close to the baseline, and B accounted for the majority of recent virus detections.
The public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against influenza and other respiratory illnesses:
* Receive seasonal influenza vaccination for personal protection;
* Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
* When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
* Wash or clean hands frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, or after touching public installations such as handrails or door knobs;
* Cover the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
* Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly in a lidded rubbish bin;
* Put on a surgical mask when respiratory symptoms develop;
* Maintain good indoor ventilation;
* When influenza is prevalent, avoid going to crowded or poorly ventilated public places; high-risk individuals may consider putting on surgical masks when staying in such places; and
* Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.
The public may visit the CHP's pages below for more information:
* The influenza page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/14843.html);
* The weekly Flu Express report (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/2108.html);
* The update on severe seasonal influenza cases (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/flu_update_en.pdf);
* The vaccination schemes page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/17980.html);
* The list of participating doctors (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/34664.html);
* The Facebook Page (www.fb.com/CentreforHealthProtection); and
* The YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/c/ChpGovHkChannel).
Ends/Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Issued at HKT 16:32
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