A previously healthy six-year-old girl is in critical condition in intensive care after influenza A led to shock, the Centre for Health Protection said. She is one of 24 children recorded with severe influenza since the season began in late June. The cumulative total includes one death; 20 children have recovered and been discharged, while three are in critical condition.
The girl developed a fever, runny nose, vomiting and poor appetite on October 15 and was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital. Her condition worsened on October 17, and she was transferred to the hospital’s paediatric intensive care unit. The Centre said her respiratory sample tested positive for influenza A (H1).
Since schools reopened in September, about 440 reports of influenza-like illness outbreaks in schools have affected about 2,700 people, according to the Centre. Its director, Dr Edwin Tsui, said influenza activity was expected to fluctuate at a high level over the coming weeks, after widespread community transmission in recent months.
The girl had not received the 2026/27 seasonal influenza vaccine. About 840 schools had held outreach activities under the vaccination programme, and the Centre urged schools and parents to complete consent procedures and arrange vaccination promptly.