​The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (January 20) recorded a severe paediatric influenza infection case, marking the third such case within eight days. Based on historical epidemiological data, Hong Kong usually enters its winter influenza season in January. It cannot be ruled out that influenza activity may rise again in the coming months. The CHP reiterated its reminder to parents to arrange for their children to receive a free seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) promptly. The SIV remains one of the most effective methods of preventing influenza and its complications and can reduce the risk of serious complications or death from infection.
      
     The case involves a 14-year-old girl. On January 18, she attended a private clinic as she developed a fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough and myalgia. She further presented with dizziness on the following day (January 19) and sought medical attention at the Accident and Emergency Department of United Christian Hospital. Due to persistently low blood pressure, she was admitted to the intensive care unit of the hospital for treatment. Her respiratory specimen tested positive for influenza A virus upon laboratory testing. She remains hospitalised, but her condition has stabilised and her blood pressure has returned to normal.

     A preliminary investigation revealed that the girl had received the 2025/26 SIV. Three of her classmates recently developed influenza-like symptoms. One of them was hospitalised and has been discharged, with a respiratory specimen testing positive for influenza A virus upon laboratory testing. The other two students presented with mild symptoms and did not require hospitalisation. The CHP advised the school concerned on the necessary infection control measures to be implemented and will continue to put the school under medical surveillance. The 14-year-old girl has four household contacts. Two of them developed mild respiratory symptoms earlier but did not require hospitalisation.     
 
     So far this year, three severe paediatric influenza cases have been recorded, involving children aged between 6 months and 14 years old. Two of the affected children had not received SIV, including one case who received the 2025/26 SIV only three days before the onset of illness. As the patient was not protected by the vaccine, the case is not counted as being vaccinated. During the summer influenza season ending in early January, 25 severe paediatric influenza cases were recorded, including three fatal cases and involving children aged between 6 months to 17 years old. Among them, 20 cases (80 per cent) had not received an SIV (including one case who received the 2025/26 SIV only four days before the onset of illness).
     
　　"Influenza activity may rise again as the weather remains cold in the first quarter of this year, and it cannot be ruled out that the circulating virus strains may change as the winter influenza season approaches. Therefore, I once again urge all individuals aged 6 months or older, except those with known contraindications, to act promptly if they have not yet received an SIV. This includes those who contracted influenza during the summer influenza season in order to guard against other circulating virus strains that may emerge during the upcoming winter influenza season. Furthermore, although there are some antigenic differences between the currently circulating influenza A (H3) virus strain and the virus strain contained in the vaccine, scientific research indicates that this season's influenza vaccines can still offer protection against the variant strain of subclade K, as well as the influenza A (H1) and influenza B strains included in the vaccine," the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.

     "The number of influenza outbreaks in schools has increased since classes resumed after the holidays. For children who did not join the SIV School Outreach Programme, parents should promptly bring their children to private doctors enrolled in the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme to receive an SIV. In addition, the SIV coverage rate for children aged 6 months to under 2 years is only about 23 per cent. Although this represents an approximate 4 percentage point increase compared to the same period last year, it is still much lower than that of other age groups. Through the Primary Healthcare Commission, the CHP has urged family doctors to assist in encouraging parents to allow their children to receive an SIV," Dr Tsui added.

     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/Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Issued at HKT 19:34

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