CHP urges public to promptly receive seasonal influenza vaccination as severe paediatric influenza infection cases recorded in two consecutive days
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The case involves an 11-year-old girl with underlying illness. She developed a fever, cough and confusion on December 1 and was brought to the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital on the same day, where she was admitted for treatment. She was in serious condition at one point. Her nasopharyngeal swab specimen tested positive for influenza A (H3) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis is influenza A infection complicated with encephalopathy. She remains hospitalised, but her condition has become stable.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the girl lives overseas and arrived in Hong Kong on November 20. She has not yet received the 2025/26 SIV. Her household contacts are currently asymptomatic.
Including the abovementioned case, there have been 25 severe influenza cases involving children so far this summer influenza season, including three fatal cases. The affected children were aged from 6 months to 17 years. A total of 16 cases have been recorded since the launch of this year's SIV programmes, with only one having received this year's SIV four days prior to the onset of illness. As it generally takes two weeks for the body to develop sufficient protection after vaccination, these severe influenza cases are not protected by the vaccine.
"According to the latest surveillance data, influenza activity has gradually declined since late October. However, it remains above the baseline thresholds. As the weather turns cooler, influenza activity may increase again. Moreover, influenza activity has continued to increase or reached a high level in most areas of the Northern Hemisphere. Members of the public who intend to travel should get vaccinated early as it takes about two weeks after receiving SIV for antibodies to develop in the body and provide adequate protection against influenza virus infection. Since influenza can cause serious complications, the CHP recommends that all persons aged 6 months or above receive the SIV, particularly high-risk individuals such as pregnant women, the elderly, children and those with underlying illnesses," the Head of Communicable Disease Branch of the CHP, Dr Albert Au, said.
He also reminded members of the public that, especially for children, the elderly and those with underlying illnesses, they should seek medical advice promptly for early treatment if they present with fever and respiratory symptoms. As children with influenza can deteriorate rapidly, parents must pay close attention to their children's condition. They should go to an Accident and Emergency Department immediately if the child's condition deteriorates, for example, if they develop symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, blue lips, chest pain, confusion, a persistent fever or convulsions.
Separately, high-risk individuals should wear surgical masks when staying in crowded places. People with respiratory symptoms, even if mild, should wear a surgical mask and seek medical advice promptly. They should also consider whether to attend work or school.
In addition to issuing timely reminders to healthcare professionals and schools based on the latest seasonal influenza development, the CHP also uploads the latest seasonal influenza information on its website weekly. Members of the public can visit the CHP's seasonal influenza and COVID-19 & Flu Express webpages.
Ends/Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Issued at HKT 18:45
Issued at HKT 18:45
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