Fatal case of paediatric influenza A infection under CHP investigation
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The girl with good past health has presented with fever and cough since April 5, followed by vomiting, diarrhoea and convulsion yesterday (April 6). She attended a private practitioner yesterday and was admitted to a private hospital for treatment. The patient was subsequently referred to Queen Mary Hospital on the same day and was admitted to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit for further management. She passed away this evening.
Her nasopharyngeal aspirate tested positive for influenza A (H1) pdm09 upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis is status epilepticus and influenza A complicated by encephalitis.
Initial enquiries revealed that the patient, who lived in Dongguan, had received the latest seasonal influenza vaccine and was brought to Hong Kong yesterday for medical treatment. Her mother had recent upper respiratory symptoms and recovered after medical treatment and her other home contact is asymptomatic so far. Investigations by the CHP are proceeding.
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 following CHP pages for more information: the influenza page, the weekly Flu Express report and the vaccination schemes page.
Ends/Friday, April 7, 2017
Issued at HKT 19:58
Issued at HKT 19:58
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