Hong Kong recorded three new severe paediatric influenza cases on 5 September, taking the total since the flu season began in late June to 16, including one death. A six-year-old girl with influenza A and encephalopathy was in critical condition, while a three-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy were seriously ill with septic shock.
The six-year-old developed fever, a runny nose and a cough on 3 September, followed by generalised convulsions. Her respiratory sample tested positive for influenza A, and she was diagnosed with influenza A complicated by encephalopathy. She was being treated in the paediatric intensive care unit at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital.
The three-year-old developed a fever on 2 September and later had generalised convulsions. She tested positive for influenza A and was diagnosed with influenza A complicated by septic shock. She was in serious condition in the paediatric intensive care unit at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
The 15-year-old boy developed fever, a runny nose and fatigue on 3 September, and was found to have low blood pressure. His sample tested positive for influenza B and he was diagnosed with influenza B complicated by septic shock. He was in serious condition and was transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit at Queen Mary Hospital for further treatment.
Reports said all three children had previously been healthy and had not travelled during their incubation periods. Their household contacts had not developed symptoms. Two classmates of the six-year-old had recently experienced mild flu symptoms but did not require hospitalisation.
The Centre for Health Protection advised the school attended by the six-year-old to adopt infection-control measures. It said flu activity had remained high since the summer flu season began and warned that more outbreaks could occur after the academic year begins. The seasonal influenza vaccination programme is scheduled to start on 17 September.