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Pediatrics

Hong Kong Reports 13 Severe Paediatric Influenza Cases Since School Year Started

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

In the aftermath of a severe paediatric influenza infection case recorded by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH), Hong Kong has experienced a significant increase in school influenza outbreaks. According to Dr Edwin Tsui, the Controller of the CHP, there have been 13 severe paediatric influenza cases since the start of the school year in September, including one fatal case. The affected children were between two and 17 years old, and 10 of them had good past health.

Key Takeaways:

  • 13 severe paediatric influenza cases have been recorded since the start of the school year in September, including one fatal case.
  • The affected children were between two and 17 years old, and 10 of them had good past health.
  • The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) has recorded another severe paediatric influenza infection case, the third this week.
  • The CHP has written to all schools in Hong Kong, urging them to implement preventive measures and manage influenza outbreaks according to the Guidelines on Prevention of Communicable Diseases.
  • The CHP has also called on the schools to complete the vaccination activities as soon as possible and will continue to provide feasible assistance.
  • Dr Edwin Tsui, the Controller of the CHP, has reminded parents to pay close attention to their children's condition and seek medical advice promptly if they develop symptoms.
  • Dr Tsui has also reminded schools to strengthen prevention and control measures, including using correct methods for cleaning and disinfecting campuses effectively and reminding teachers and students to pay attention to personal and hand hygiene.
  • The CHP has sent another letter to schools to remind them to strengthen prevention and control measures and to complete the vaccination activities as soon as possible.
  • The vaccination rates among children aged 6 months to under 2 years remain relatively low.
  • The Government has opened 29 of the DH's Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) for all children aged 6 months to under 2 years.

Statistics:

  • 13 severe paediatric influenza cases have been recorded since the start of the school year in September, including one fatal case.
  • 602 school outbreaks have been reported since the start of the school year.
  • 64 cases were recorded in kindergartens/child care centres, 320 cases in primary schools, and 218 cases in secondary schools.
  • The number of reported school outbreaks is far higher than the 88 cases recorded in the whole winter influenza season earlier this year.
  • Over 770,000 doses of vaccines have been administered under the various Seasonal Influenza Vaccination (SIV) Programmes, representing a 5.2% increase in coverage rate compared to last year.
  • The vaccination rates among children aged 6 months to under 2 years remain relatively low, with only approximately 2,300 schools (99%) arranging SIV school outreach activities.

Sources:

  • Hong Kong Government special administrative region, The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH), Press Release, October 22.
  • Hong Kong Government special administrative region, The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH), Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programmes webpage.

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