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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (January 21) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection affecting a 5-month-old girl.
The patient, with underlying illness, has presented with poor feeding, vomiting, drowsiness and cyanosis since January 19. She was admitted to Pok Oi Hospital and transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) for further management on the same day. Her clinical diagnosis was severe influenza.
Her nasopharyngeal aspirate tested positive for influenza A(H3) virus upon laboratory testing by TMH. She is currently in critical condition.
She has no recent travel history. Her grandmother, father and elder sister have presented with upper respiratory symptoms.
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/Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Issued at HKT 16:42
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