A nine-year-old girl with an underlying chronic illness is critically ill in the paediatric intensive-care unit at Queen Elizabeth Hospital after testing positive for influenza B and developing septic shock and severe pneumonia. The Centre for Health Protection said the case was among 21 serious paediatric influenza cases recorded since late June, including one death.
The girl developed a fever on September 30, followed by coughing and vomiting on October 1. She attended a private clinic that day before being sent to a hospital emergency department and admitted for further treatment in paediatric intensive care. A respiratory sample later tested positive for influenza B. She remained in critical condition on October 3.
The Department of Health said the 21 serious paediatric cases recorded from late June to October 3 included 16 children who had recovered and been discharged, two whose condition was stable, two who were critically ill and one who had died.
The girl had not received the 2026/27 seasonal influenza vaccine. The Centre for Health Protection said overall influenza activity remained high and was expected to stay at that level in the coming weeks. It also expected school outbreaks to increase as group activities rose after schools reopened.
The 2026/27 Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programme began on September 17 and includes school outreach. About 100 schools had held outreach activities by October 3. This year's programme also includes a new electronic-consent function, which the Department of Health said would make participation easier and simplify administration for schools and healthcare providers.
The Department of Health expected school outreach to be completed by mid-December, around two weeks earlier than last year. The Centre for Health Protection urged people to receive influenza vaccination promptly and maintain good personal and environmental hygiene.