12-year-old girl dies from influenza A complications in Hong Kong
A 12-year-old girl with underlying health conditions died from septic shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation and multiple organ failure after contracting influenza A. The Centre for Health Protection reported 25 severe paediatric cases this flu season and urged vaccination.
A 12-year-old girl with underlying health conditions has died after contracting influenza A, which led to septic shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation and multiple organ failure. The patient died on 20 October, according to the Centre for Health Protection (CHP).
The girl developed fever, cough and diarrhoea on 19 October, followed by vomiting. Her condition deteriorated on the evening of 20 October, and she was taken to the accident and emergency department of Eastern District Hospital, where she experienced cardiac arrest. She was resuscitated and admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit. Her respiratory specimen tested positive for influenza A virus.
Preliminary investigations showed the girl had not travelled abroad during the incubation period and had not received the 2026/27 seasonal influenza vaccine. One of her household contacts had recently developed mild upper respiratory symptoms, but did not require hospitalisation. The case will be referred to the Coroner for investigation.
Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan, Director of the CHP, said Hong Kong has been in its influenza season since late June, lasting nearly four months, with activity remaining at a high level. This season has recorded 25 severe cases of influenza among children, the same number as the same period in the previous season.
Dr Chuang urged the public not to underestimate influenza and to take preventive measures, including getting vaccinated. Analysis of last year's data showed that unvaccinated children were about five times more likely to suffer severe complications or die from influenza than vaccinated children. Among elderly residents of care homes aged 65 or above, unvaccinated individuals were about four times more likely to develop severe influenza than those vaccinated.
Dr Chuang noted that widespread community transmission had led to a significant increase in infections and severe cases. Since schools reopened in September, nearly 460 influenza-like illness outbreaks had been reported in schools, affecting about 2,800 people. Influenza activity is expected to remain at high levels in the coming weeks. The school outreach vaccination programme has introduced a new electronic consent function via the Health e-Record System, with about 960 schools already participating. Outreach is expected to be completed by mid-December, about two weeks earlier than last year.