HONG KONG — Hong Kong is grappling with a severe flu outbreak, with two types of Influenza A viruses, H1 and H3, hitting the city one after the other, according to a pediatric expert at the University of Hong Kong.
The surge in cases has resulted in a child fatality, with an 8-year-old girl dying last Thursday after being infected with the H1 flu. A 6-year-old girl, who was also infected with the virus, is fighting for her life in the hospital after developing a fever and cough.
The Centre for Health Protection reported that the 6-year-old girl, who had no underlying health conditions, was hospitalized on Friday and transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit. She is currently in critical condition.
Dr. Lau Yu-lung, a pediatric expert at the University of Hong Kong, said that Hong Kong has recorded around 20 serious cases of children infected with the flu during the current flu season. He noted that the patients typically experience convulsions and loss of consciousness, and some may develop serious myocarditis and brain inflammation.
Lau said that half of the young patients who develop serious conditions or die following flu infection have underlying diseases, while the rest may have impaired immune systems.
The expert warned that the flu peak is expected to continue, making it difficult to predict when the surge will end. He also predicted that another outbreak of flu B virus is likely to occur this summer or winter.
Lau urged the public, especially children and the elderly, to get vaccinated against the flu. He noted that the vaccination rate among the elderly is only 40 percent and needs to be improved.
The Centre for Health Protection has urged the public to heighten vigilance against the flu and get vaccinated as soon as possible. The center emphasized that seasonal influenza vaccination is one of the most effective means to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications, as well as reducing influenza-related hospitalization and death.
The recent fatality and critical cases have highlighted the severity of the flu outbreak in Hong Kong. The public is advised to take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the virus and to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their loved ones.
