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Winter influenza season comes to an end
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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (April 22) reported the latest surveillance data of the winter influenza season. The latest surveillance data show that the overall influenza activity had further decreased last week, indicating the end of this about four-month-long winter season since late December 2014.

     "The daily update on surveillance data in this influenza season will be suspended from tomorrow. We will continue to closely monitor local and overseas influenza activities by a wide range of surveillance data and report in the weekly Flu Express online to update members of the public of the latest situation," a spokesman for the CHP said.

Laboratory surveillance
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     The percentage of cases positive for seasonal influenza viruses decreased to 7.9 per cent last week from 10.8 per cent in the preceding week among respiratory specimens received by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch as compared to 9.2 per cent in the last week of 2014 when this season began. Among influenza virus detections last week, 55.2 per cent were A(H3N2) while 42.9 per cent were B.

Severe cases
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     From noon yesterday (April 21) to noon today, four additional cases of influenza-associated admissions to an intensive care unit or death, including three deaths, 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 641 (495 deaths) so far. Among them, 594 were A(H3N2), eight were A(H1N1)pdm09, seven were A pending subtype and 32 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), two institutional outbreaks affecting eleven persons were recorded last week, decreasing from eight (36 persons) in the preceding one. As of yesterday, five (27 persons) had been recorded so far this week.

Admission rate
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     The influenza-associated admission rate in public hospitals among children aged under five and the elderly aged 65 or above was respectively 0.57 and 0.36 cases per 10 000 persons last week, both dropping from 0.72 and 0.80 respectively in the previous week.

Vaccination
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     The Government Vaccination Programme 2014/15 concluded on April 15, 2015, and about 259 000 doses of influenza vaccines had been administered to eligible groups, an increase of eight per cent from the same period of last year. As of April 19, 2015, about 249 000 doses had been administered via the Vaccination Subsidy Schemes, a rise of five per cent from the same period of last year.

Neighbouring and overseas areas
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     In Taiwan, the percentage positive for influenza viruses stood at 27.3 per cent in the first week of April which was above the baseline. In Europe, the proportion of influenza virus detections in sentinel specimens has decreased to 28 per cent in the week ending April 12, 2015, which was still over the threshold. The proportions of B virus detections have been on the rise.

     In Japan, the average number of reported ILI cases per sentinel site has been decreasing to a level close to the baseline. The percentage that tested positive for influenza viruses in the United States, Canada and England has returned to the baseline, and B accounted for the majority of recent virus detections.

     The public should continue to 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 22, 2015
Issued at HKT 18:47

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