Press Release

Case of severe paediatric influenza A infection under CHP investigation

26 January 2015

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (January 26) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection affecting a 6-year-old girl.

The patient, with underlying illness, has presented with fever, chills, runny nose and cough since January 24. She was noted to have lethargy on January 25 and was taken to the Accident and Emergency Department of Tseung Kwan O Hospital. She was transferred to the paediatric Intensive Care Unit of United Christian Hospital (UCH) on the same day. The clinical diagnosis is encephalitis. She is currently in serious condition.

Her nasopharyngeal aspirate tested positive for influenza A (H3) upon laboratory testing by UCH.

Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period. Three of her home contacts developed symptoms of influenza-like illness and have sought medical attention. The other home contact remained asymptomatic.

Investigation is ongoing.

The public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against influenza and other respiratory illnesses:

• Receive seasonal influenza vaccination for personal protection;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
• Cover the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly in a lidded rubbish bin;
• Put on a surgical mask when respiratory symptoms develop;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• When influenza is prevalent, avoid going to crowded or poorly ventilated public places; high-risk individuals may consider putting on surgical masks when staying in such places; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

The public may visit the CHP's pages below for more information:

• The influenza page ( www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/14843.html );
• The weekly Flu Express report ( www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/2108.html );
• The vaccination schemes page ( www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/17980.html ); and
• The list of participating doctors ( www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/34664.html ).