CHP investigates case of severe paediatric influenza A infection
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The 2-year-old girl with good past health presented with fever, cough, runny nose and convulsion on April 3. She was admitted to Queen Mary Hospital on the same day and was subsequently transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit for further management. The patient is now in a stable condition.
Her nasopharyngeal aspirate tested positive for influenza A(H3) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis is status epilepticus and influenza A complicated by encephalopathy.
Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had not received the latest seasonal influenza vaccine and had travelled to Shenzhen on April 1. Her 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/Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Issued at HKT 17:40
Issued at HKT 17:40
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