The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (April 3) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection.

     The 14-month-old girl with good past health has presented with vomiting and shortness of breath since March 31. She was admitted to St Teresa's Hospital on April 1 and was transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of Queen Elizabeth Hospital on April 2 and then transferred to the PICU of Queen Mary Hospital on the same day for further management. The patient is now in a critical condition.

     Her nasopharyngeal swab tested positive for influenza A(H3) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis is myocarditis. 

     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had not received the latest seasonal influenza vaccine and had no travel history during the incubation period. Her father recently presented with upper respiratory tract infection symptoms and has sought medical treatment and recovered. Other home contacts remain asymptomatic so far.

     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/Monday, April 3, 2017
Issued at HKT 12:53

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