7 January 2014
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (January 7) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection affecting a 50-day-old baby boy.
The patient, who has an underlying medical condition, presented with fever and cough since January 1 and was admitted to Caritas Medical Centre on January 2. He was transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of Kwong Wah Hospital for further management on January 3.
His clinical diagnosis was shock and he is currently in critical condition. His nasopharyngeal aspirate tested positive for influenza A(H1).
The patient has no recent travel history. His home contacts are asymptomatic.
To prevent respiratory tract infections, a spokesman for the CHP urged members of the public to take heed of the following advice: