17 Feb 2010
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (February 17) received report about a 75-year-old woman with history of human swine influenza (HSI) vaccination who was admitted to hospital for lower limb weakness.
The patient developed bilateral lower limb weakness on February 8 and was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital on February 9, 2010.
She is now in critical condition in Intensive Care Unit.
The patient received HSI vaccination on December 31, 2009 at a public outpatient clinic, more than five weeks before the onset of symptoms.
A CHP spokesman said both nerve conduction study on the patient and CSF findings were suggestive of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS).
According to the Hospital Authority, 40-60 GBS cases were recorded each year between 2000 and 2009, with anything from zero to 10 cases per month, regardless of vaccination history.
"Literature review shows that the majority of GBS cases that are temporarily associated with seasonal influenza vaccination occur between the second and the third week, with a median latency of 13 days," the spokesman said.
“The CHP will closely monitor the clinical progress and further laboratory results of this patient. Information about the case will be reviewed by the Expert Group in due course for determination of diagnosis and etiology.”
According to the World Health Organization, global experience so far showed that HSI vaccination is not associated with increased incidence of GBS.