Press Release

Case of severe paediatric influenza A infection under CHP investigation

30 January 2015

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (January 30) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection affecting a 3-year-old boy.

The patient, with underlying illnesses, has presented with fever, cough and shortness of breath since January 25. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) on January 28 and was admitted on the same day. He was subsequently transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit on January 29. The clinical diagnosis was pneumonia. He is currently in stable condition after treatment.

His nasopharyngeal aspirate tested positive for influenza A (H3) virus upon laboratory testing by PMH.

Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period. His home contacts did not have symptoms of influenza-like illness.

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 (This link will open in a new windowwww.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/14843.html);
• The weekly Flu Express report (This link will open in a new windowwww.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/2108.html);
• The vaccination schemes page (This link will open in a new windowwww.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/17980.html); and
• The list of participating doctors (This link will open in a new windowwww.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/34664.html).