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The Controller of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health, Dr Leung Ting-hung, today (March 2) announced the investigation into a death case of severe paediatric influenza B, and again urged the public, particularly young children, to get vaccinated promptly and observe strict hand, personal and environmental hygiene amid the winter influenza season. Children, the elderly and those with chronic diseases should promptly seek medical advice if influenza-like symptoms develop.
Additional measure on temperature monitoring
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"As the local seasonal influenza activity continues to rise, we urge schools to reinforce preventive measures to mitigate the possible impact of influenza on students and staff. Young children are more prone to influenza and its complications. As schools are collective assembly places, influenza can easily spread through daily contact," Dr Leung said.
From tomorrow (March 3) onwards, during this winter influenza season, schools should actively check the body temperature of all students every day when they arrive at school to identify those with fever. To prevent outbreaks, those with fever (oral temperature over 37.5 degrees Celsius or ear temperature over 38 degrees), with or without respiratory symptoms, should not be allowed to attend school. Schools should advise them to seek medical advice and avoid school till 48 hours after the fever subsides.
In addition, staff should check their temperature before work every day and those with fever or respiratory illnesses should refrain from work.
It is important to measure and record body temperature properly. Schools may refer to Section 2.3 of the CHP's Guidelines on Prevention of Communicable Diseases in Schools/Kindergartens/Kindergartens-cum-Child Care Centres/Child Care Centres (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/37343.html) for details.
Schools are urged to promptly report to the CHP in case of an increase in respiratory illnesses or absentees among students or staff, for immediate epidemiological investigations and outbreak control. The CHP will issue letters to kindergartens and child care centres as well as primary and secondary schools on the above additional measure.
Case under investigation
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Regarding the death case, the boy aged 6, with an underlying illness, had developed fever, cough and runny nose since February 24 and later presented with epigastric pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. He was admitted to Tseung Kwan O Hospital (TKOH) on February 29 for management but his condition deteriorated and he passed away yesterday (March 1).
The clinical diagnosis was myocarditis and his nasopharyngeal swab tested positive for influenza B virus upon testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB).
The patient's elder sister with recent upper respiratory symptoms admitted to TKOH is now in stable condition. Initial enquiries revealed that their other home contacts remained asymptomatic.
To date, no recent outbreaks of communicable disease have been detected in the primary school the patient attended.
Latest surveillance data
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This is the first severe paediatric influenza-associated death case in 2016. To date, 10 cases (including this death) have been detected under the routine surveillance of severe paediatric influenza-associated complications or deaths of children aged below 18, comprising six being influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, one being H3N2, one pending subtype and two being influenza B. In 2015, 25 cases (one death) were reported, comprising 23 influenza A(H3N2) cases and two influenza B cases.
Turning to influenza-like illness (ILI), after the Lunar New Year, the number of outbreaks in institutions/schools increased from six (affecting 66 persons) in the week ending February 20 to 58 (418 persons) last week. As of yesterday, 46 (295 persons) were reported this week. In the last four weeks, outbreaks mainly occurred in primary schools (58 per cent) and kindergartens or child care centres (26 per cent).
In the same period, the ILI consultation rate reported by sentinel private doctors rose from 47.6 ILI cases per 1 000 consultations to 67.7, while that of General Out-patient Clinics increased from 9.0 to 9.5.
The influenza-associated admission rate in public hospitals among children aged under 5 increased from 5.09 cases per 10 000 persons to 5.84 in the same period.
In the same period, the percentage that tested positive for seasonal influenza viruses increased from 24.75 per cent to 25.93 per cent among respiratory specimens received by the CHP's PHLSB. Among influenza virus detections last week, 65 per cent were type A(H1), 28 per cent were type B and 4 per cent were type A(H3).
Vaccination
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As of February 28, about 380 000 doses of seasonal influenza vaccines had been administered to eligible persons under the Government Vaccination Programme and about 183 000 under the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme by enrolled private doctors, i.e. about 563 000 in total, an increase of 14 per cent compared to the same period in 2014-15.
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); and
* The vaccination schemes page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/17980.html).
Ends/Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Issued at HKT 19:21
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