Press Release

Case of severe paediatric influenza A

18 February 2015

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (February 18) investigating a case of severe paediatric influenza A infection affecting a one-year-old boy.

The patient, with good past health, has presented with fever, cough and hoarseness of voice since February 12. He was brought to the Accident and Emergency Department of Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH) on February 14 and was directly admitted to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit for further management on the same day. The clinical diagnosis was sepsis. He is currently in serious condition.

His tracheal aspirate tested positive for influenza A upon laboratory testing by PWH.

Initial enquiries by CHP revealed that his grandmother had upper respiratory tract infection symptoms recently and had sought medical attention. Other home contacts remained asymptomatic. The patient had no travel history during the incubation period.

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;
• Wash or clean hands frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, or after touching public installations such as handrails or door knobs;
• 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 update on severe seasonal influenza cases (This link will open in a new windowwww.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/flu_update_en.pdf);
• The vaccination schemes page (This link will open in a new windowwww.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/17980.html);
• The list of participating doctors (This link will open in a new windowwww.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/34664.html);
• The Facebook Page (This link will open in a new windowfb.com/CentreforHealthProtection); and
• The YouTube Channel (This link will open in a new windowyoutube.com/c/ChpGovHkChannel).