CHP urges students to receive seasonal influenza vaccination early in new school year as two cases of severe paediatric influenza A infection reported
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"Vaccination is the first line of defence against seasonal influenza, reducing the chance of serious complications or death after infection. Including the two abovementioned cases, there had been three severe paediatric influenza cases since the school resumed. Since January this year, the CHP has recorded 14 cases of severe influenza virus infection in children, 10 of them were unvaccinated in the 2024/25 season. Therefore, we hope that schools and parents could make concerted efforts with us and participate in the SIV outreach activities at school, or arrange for their children to visit their family doctor for the SIV at the start of the new school year to enhance their protection," the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.
The first case involved a ten-year-old boy with good past health. He developed a fever, a cough, shortness of breath and a sore throat on September 3. He sought medical attention at the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Mary Hospital on the next day. He was then admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit of the hospital for treatment. His nasopharyngeal swab and throat swab specimen was positive for influenza A (H1) virus and COVID-19 virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A and COVID-19 co-infection complicated with severe pneumonia and respiratory failure.
The boy had no travel history during the incubation period. His household contacts, so far, are asymptomatic. The boy received the SIV last October.
The second case involved an eight-year-old boy with good past health. He developed a fever, a cough, a headache, vomiting and convulsion since September 4. He sought medical attention at the Accident and Emergency Department of Tuen Mun Hospital yesterday (September 5), and was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit of the Hospital for treatment. His nasopharyngeal swab specimen tested positive for the influenza A (H3) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with encephalopathy and shock.
The boy travelled to Shenzhen on August 31. One of his home contact, who is also his travel collateral, developed mild respiratory symptoms on September 2. He sought medical attention and did not require hospitalisation. The boy did not receive the SIV.
Both patients are still hospitalised. There has been no recent influenza outbreak at the two schools they studied.
Besides, since the start of the new school year, there has been a significant increase in the number of outbreak of influenza-like illness (ILI). The CHP recorded four ILI outbreaks in schools in the last week of August (August 24 to August 30), increased to 14 outbreaks in the first six days this week (August 31 to September 5). The 18 outbreaks recorded in the two weeks include kindergartens/child care centres (five cases), primary schools (eight cases) and secondary schools (five cases).
Although Hong Kong has not entered the summer influenza season so far this year, the CHP's latest surveillance data showed that local influenza activity recently indicated an upward fluctuation and slightly exceeded the baseline threshold. The CHP will cautiously monitor the trend of influenza activity in the next few weeks.
Although the latest surveillance data showed that the overall local activity of COVID-19 has remained at a low level, members of the public are advised to take note of the recommendations on the use of COVID-19 vaccines in Hong Kong to protect themselves from serious outcomes of COVID-19. The CHP reminded the public who have not received the initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (including infants and children) that they should get vaccinated as soon as possible. Those at high risk (particularly the elderly and persons with underlying comorbidities) should receive a booster dose as soon as possible for effective prevention against COVID-19 to minimise the risk of serious complications and death after infection.
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, COVID-19 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/Saturday, September 6, 2025
Issued at HKT 18:40
Issued at HKT 18:40
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