6 March 2015
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (March 6) reported the latest surveillance data of the winter influenza season, and again urged the public to heighten vigilance and get vaccinated early against seasonal influenza.
Regarding severe cases, from noon yesterday (March 5) to noon today, 12 additional cases of influenza-associated admission to intensive care units or death (including 10 deaths) among adults aged 18 or above have been recorded under the enhanced surveillance in collaboration with public and private hospitals reactivated since January 2, bringing the total to 458 (341 deaths) so far. Among them, 439 were A(H3N2), four were A(H1N1)pdm09, five were A pending subtype and 10 were B. In the last winter season in early 2014, 266 cases (133 deaths) were filed.
Meanwhile, no additional cases of severe paediatric influenza-associated complication or death among children aged under 18 have been reported since yesterday via the ongoing reporting system, and the total this year hence remains at 17 (one death) and all were A(H3N2). In 2014, 27 cases (four deaths) were filed.
The public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against influenza and other respiratory illnesses:
The public may visit the CHP's pages below for more information: