CHP investigates case of severe paediatric influenza B infection
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The case involves a 13-year-old girl with good past health, who has presented with fever, cough with sputum, poor appetite and malaise since April 21 and confused speech since April 22. She was taken to the Accident and Emergency Department at Prince of Wales Hospital for medical attention on April 22 and was admitted for management on the same day.
Her nasopharyngeal aspirate tested positive for influenza B virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza B infection complicated with encephalopathy. She is now in a stable condition.
Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had not received seasonal influenza vaccination for the current season and had no travel history during the incubation period. Her home contacts have remained asymptomatic so far.
The CHP's investigations are ongoing.
"Although the winter influenza season has ended, members of the public aged 6 months or above (except those with known contraindications) who have not yet received seasonal influenza vaccination in the 2018-19 season can still receive it for personal protection against seasonal influenza," a spokesman for the CHP said.
"Meanwhile, the public should continue to adopt strict personal, hand and environmental hygiene practices against respiratory illnesses and other infectious diseases," the spokesman added.
The public may visit the CHP's influenza page and weekly Flu Express for more information.
Ends/Wednesday, April 24, 2019
Issued at HKT 18:00
Issued at HKT 18:00
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