Death of third Hong Kong child from flu sparks urgent appeal for public to receive influenza shots
- Unvaccinated four-year-old girl infected with influenza A died at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Chai Wan on Monday
- Centre for Health Protection warns that dominating flu virus strain might change for second time, possibly extending flu season already longer than usual
Hong Kong health authorities have urgently appealed to the public to take flu shots following the death of a third child from the virus this year, warning that more severe cases of respiratory diseases are coming.
The Centre for Health Protection warned on Tuesday that the dominating flu virus strain might change for a second time given the higher rate of travel by residents, possibly extending a flu season that was already longer than usual.
“For those who haven’t been vaccinated yet, they should receive the vaccination, as the vaccine is safe and effective,” said Dr Wong Hoi-kei, senior medical and health officer of the centre’s communicable disease branch.
An unvaccinated four-year-old girl infected with influenza A died on Monday. In the past two weeks, two other girls, aged eight and six, also died after contracting the flu, while a three-year-old girl with the virus is fighting for her life in Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Eighteen other children have developed severe flu conditions in the current season, and most did not receive the latest flu vaccine.
