The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (April 9) announced a case of severe paediatric influenza B infection complicated with encephalopathy and urged the public to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene at all times to prevent contracting influenza and other respiratory illnesses.
                
     The case involved a 17-year-old girl with good past health. She developed a cough and runny nose on March 27. She sought medical attention from a private doctor on April 3. She developed convulsions on April 7 and was brought to the Accident and Emergency Department of Tin Shui Wai Hospital. She was subsequently transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit of Tuen Mun Hospital the same day. Her nasopharyngeal swab specimen tested positive for the influenza B virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza B infection complicated with encephalopathy. She is still hospitalised and is in serious condition.

     The girl had no travel history during the incubation period. Her household contacts, so far, are asymptomatic. She received the seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) for the current season and there has been no recent influenza outbreak at her school.
      
     Influenza vaccination has been scientifically proven to be one of the most effective ways to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications, while significantly reducing the risk of hospitalisation and death from seasonal influenza. All persons aged 6 months and above (except those with known contraindications), particularly the elderly and children who have a higher risk of becoming infected with influenza and developing complications, should be vaccinated. Although the seasonal influenza activity in Hong Kong remained low after the end of the winter influenza season, those who have not received SIV this season should consider acting as soon as possible. The number of severe cases involving adults and cases of severe paediatric influenza-associated complications recorded in the influenza season earlier this year has significantly decreased compared with the 2018/19 influenza season. It is believed that this is the result of the general public's willingness to receive the SIV.
      
     To protect their health and that of their family members, the public should continue to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene and take the following measures to prevent contracting seasonal influenza and other respiratory illnesses: 
      

• Persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) should wear surgical masks to prevent transmission of respiratory viruses; high-risk persons (e.g. persons with underlying medical conditions or persons who are immunocompromised) should also wear surgical masks when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Avoid touching one's eyes, mouth and nose;
• Practise hand hygiene frequently, 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;
• Cover the mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• Avoid sharing personal items;
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, consider refraining from going to work or school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, perform physical activity regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

     ​For the latest information, members of the public can visit the CHP's seasonal influenza and COVID-19 & Flu Express webpages.      

Ends/Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Issued at HKT 19:00

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