CHP prompts schoolchildren to without delay get seasonal influenza vaccination as serious paediatric influenza infection case was tape-recorded over 2 successive days
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Following the other day’s (October 20) statement of a case of extreme paediatric influenza A infection, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (October 21) tape-recorded another serious case. The CHP restated its attract schools and moms and dads to schedule schoolchildren to get complimentary seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV), as it is among the most reliable methods to avoid seasonal influenza and its problems. Vaccination likewise minimizes the threat of severe disease or death from infection.
The case includes a 2-year-old woman with underlying disease. She has actually established a fever, cough and shortness of breath because October 10. She went to the Accident and Emergency Department of Princess Margaret Hospital on October 16 and was confessed for treatment. She is presently in important condition. Her nasopharyngeal swab specimen evaluated favorable for the influenza A (H1) infection upon lab screening. The medical diagnosis was influenza A infection made complex with extreme pneumonia.
The woman had actually not gotten the 2025/26 SIV. Her home contacts are presently asymptomatic and no influenza break outs have actually been reported at her school just recently.
“Hong Kong is currently in the summer influenza season and there has been a significant increase in influenza-like illness outbreaks in schools since September. As of October 21, 587 outbreaks have been reported in schools since the start of the school year in September, including 62 cases in kindergartens/child care centres, 315 cases in primary schools and 210 cases in secondary schools. Including the above case, 12 severe paediatric influenza cases, including one fatal case, involving children aged 2 to 17 have been recorded since the start of the school year. Nine of them had good past health,” the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, stated.
“Members of the public, especially children, the elderly and those with underlying illnesses, should seek medical advice promptly if presented with fever and respiratory symptoms, for early treatment. As children with influenza can deteriorate rapidly, parents must pay close attention to their children’s condition. They should go to the 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,” he included.
The 2025/26 SIV Programmes have actually started, using totally free or subsidised SIV to qualified high-risk groups through different vaccination programs. This year, all schools might select to utilize the live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV nasal vaccines) and “hybrid mode”i.e. schools are enabled to pick both injectable suspended influenza vaccines and LAIV for the exact same or various outreach vaccination activities.
The Government has actually opened all 29 of the DH’s Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) for all kids aged 6 months to under 2 years. The District Health Centres and District Health Centre Expresses and their service outlets under the Primary Healthcare Commission in the 18 districts, and 74 Family Medicine Clinics and 38 public healthcare facilities of the Hospital Authority to supply more options for the public. For a list of vaccination places, please describe the CHP’s Vaccination Schemes page. Moms and dads of qualified kids might schedule a consultation for their kids to get vaccinations at designated MCHCs by means of the online reservation system.
Dr Tsui advised high-risk people to use surgical masks when remaining in congested locations. Individuals with breathing signs, even if moderate, ought to use a surgical mask and look for medical suggestions quickly. They ought to likewise think about whether to participate in work or school.
For the current details on seasonal influenza, members of the general public can go to the CHP’s seasonal influenza and COVID-19 & & Flu Express websites.