Hong Kong records severe flu case in 14-month-old girl
Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection reported a severe influenza case involving a 14-month-old girl in critical condition with acute necrotising encephalopathy and multi-organ failure. The centre urged vaccination, noting unvaccinated children are five times more likely to develop severe complic
Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection reported on 29 October a severe influenza case involving a 14-month-old girl who was previously healthy. She developed a fever and cough on 26 October, and was taken to Tseung Kwan O Hospital accident and emergency department on 27 October after suffering convulsions. She was transferred to United Hospital for further treatment and placed in the paediatric intensive care unit the same day due to deterioration. Her respiratory sample tested positive for influenza A (H1), and she was clinically diagnosed with influenza A complicated by acute necrotising encephalopathy and multi-organ failure. The patient is in critical condition.
Preliminary investigations indicated the girl had not travelled abroad during the incubation period and had not received a seasonal influenza vaccine. One of her household contacts recently had mild upper respiratory symptoms, did not require hospitalisation and has recovered. The centre continues to investigate.
Dr Leung Chit-yin, Director of the Centre for Health Protection, said Hong Kong has been in an influenza season since late June, lasting four months. In the week of 18 to 24 October, overall influenza activity showed signs of declining but remained above baseline. The current season has recorded 27 severe influenza cases among children, including 20 discharged, two in stable condition, three in critical condition and two deaths.
Dr Leung noted that influenza vaccine protection wanes about nine months after vaccination, prompting the World Health Organization to recommend annual vaccination. Most residents received their last vaccine more than nine months ago, reducing population immunity. He urged even those who have had influenza this season to get vaccinated to protect against other circulating strains. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent severe influenza and its complications, reducing hospitalisation and death risks.
Analysis of last season's data showed that unvaccinated children were about five times more likely to develop severe complications or die from influenza compared with vaccinated children. Among residents aged 65 or older in care homes, unvaccinated individuals were about four times more likely to develop severe influenza.
The 2026/27 seasonal influenza vaccination programme began on 17 September, including a school outreach programme with a new e-consent function via the eHealth platform. About 1,460 schools have held outreach activities, expected to be completed by mid-December, about two weeks earlier than last year.