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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (January 3) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection affecting a two-year-old girl.
The patient, with good past health, presented with fever, cough, runny rose and sore throat since December 30 last year. She developed convulsion on January 1 and was brought to the Accident and Emergency Department of Pok Oi Hospital. She was subsequently transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of Tuen Mun Hospital on the same day. Her clinical diagnosis was status epilepticus. She is currently in stable condition.
Her respiratory specimen tested positive for influenza A (H3) virus upon laboratory testing by the hospital.
Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period. Her home contacts did not have symptoms of influenza-like illness.
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/Saturday, January 3, 2015
Issued at HKT 21:28
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