Hong Kong records severe flu case in 11-year-old girl
Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection reported a severe influenza case involving an 11-year-old girl with underlying conditions, hospitalised with severe pneumonia. The centre warned of sustained high flu activity and urged vaccination amid 23 severe child cases since late June.
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of Hong Kong has recorded a severe influenza case involving an 11-year-old girl with long-term health conditions. The patient developed a cough on 29 September, followed by a fever the next day. On 3 October, she sought medical attention at a private clinic due to shortness of breath and vomiting, and was referred to Queen Mary Hospital's accident and emergency department, where she was admitted for treatment. Laboratory tests on her respiratory specimen confirmed infection with influenza A (H1) virus, and she was clinically diagnosed with influenza A complicated by severe pneumonia. The girl remains in the paediatric intensive care unit in serious condition.
Preliminary investigations by the CHP indicated that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period. She had not received the 2026/27 seasonal influenza vaccine. One of her household contacts had recently developed mild upper respiratory symptoms, which have since resolved. The CHP will continue its investigation into the case.
Dr. Leung Lok-yin, Director of the CHP, said: “Hong Kong entered its influenza season in late June this year, which has now lasted more than three months. Local influenza activity remains at a high level, with the predominant strain being influenza A (H1). Epidemiological investigations show that the characteristics of severe or fatal cases this season are similar to previous years, mainly affecting the young and the elderly.”
In the past five days, the CHP has recorded three severe influenza cases involving children. Since the start of the influenza season in late June, a cumulative total of 23 severe child cases have been reported, of which 16 have recovered and been discharged, four are in stable condition, one is serious, one is critical and one has died. Due to widespread community transmission in recent months, both the number of infections and severe cases have increased significantly. Since schools reopened in September, nearly 370 influenza-like illness outbreaks have been reported at schools, affecting about 2,200 people.
The 2026/27 seasonal influenza vaccination programme began on 17 September, including the school outreach vaccination scheme. This year, a new electronic consent form function via the e-Health app has been introduced to streamline participation and administrative processes. More than 140 schools have already held outreach activities, a significant increase compared with the same period last year. School outreach is expected to be completed by mid-December, about two weeks earlier than last year.
Dr. Leung urged schools and parents to cooperate with the CHP to complete the consent process early and arrange vaccination for children. He reminded parents that children's conditions can deteriorate quickly, and they should seek immediate medical attention if symptoms worsen, such as rapid breathing, wheezing, blue lips, chest pain, confusion, persistent fever or convulsions.