DH urges schools to implement preventive measures and manage influenza outbreaks according to Guidelines on Prevention of Communicable Diseases as severe paediatric influenza infection case was recorded for three consecutive days

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (October 22) recorded another severe paediatric influenza infection cases, the third this week. In light of the high level of school influenza outbreaks, the CHP wrote to all schools in Hong Kong again, urging them to implement preventive measures and manage influenza outbreaks according to the Guidelines on Prevention of Communicable Diseases. The CHP also called on the schools to complete the vaccination activities as soon as possible and will continue to proactively provide feasible assistance.

The severe case involves an 11-year-old girl with good past health. She has developed a fever, cough and sore throatsince October 19. She attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Yan Chai Hospitalon October 21 and was subsequently transferred to Princess Margaret Hospital for admission. She is currently in serious condition. Her nasopharyngeal swab specimen tested positive for the influenza Avirus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with severe pneumonia. The girl has not yet received the 2025/26 seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV). Her household contacts are currently asymptomatic. Recently, 10 other students from different classes at her school contracted influenza. All had mild symptoms and none required hospitalisation.

“Hong Kong has entered the summer influenza season. As in the past, severe or death cases associated with influenza this season primarily affect the elderly and children. However, compared to the winter influenza season earlier this year, children have been particularly affected this season and there has been more severe paediatric influenza infection cases. Including today’s latest case, there have been 13 severe paediatric influenza cases since the start of the school year in September, including one fatal case. The affected children were between two and 17 years old, and 10 of them had good past health. A total of 602 school outbreaks have been reported since the start of the school year, including 64 cases in kindergartens/child care centres, 320 cases in primary schools and 218 cases in secondary schools. This number is far higher than the 88 cases recorded in the whole winter influenza season earlier this year,” the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.

In addition to continuing to render full support to schools in arranging vaccination activities, the CHP sent another letter to schools today to remind them to strengthen prevention and control measures. These measures include using correct methods for cleaning and disinfecting campuses effectively, appropriately opening windows to improve ventilation in the campus, reminding teachers and students to pay attention to personal and hand hygiene. The CHP also recommends that teachers and students check their temperature daily before returning to school. If they develop symptoms or a fever, they should not go to school. Schools should immediately report suspected outbreaks (such as respiratory infections) to the CHP to facilitate follow-up.

Dr Tsui reminded parents that the condition of children with influenza may deteriorate rapidly. Parents must pay close attention to their children’s condition. They should go to the Accident and Emergency Department immediately if the child’s condition deteriorates, for example if they develop symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, blue lips, chest pain, confusion, persistent fever or convulsion. High-risk individuals should wear surgical masks when staying in crowded places.People with respiratory symptoms, even if mild, should wear a surgical mask and seek medical advice promptly. They should also consider whether to attend work or school.

Regarding SIV Programmes, to boost SIV rates, enrolment for the SIV School Outreach Programme has started since the beginning of June this year, which was earlier than last year. With the concerted efforts of the Government and various community sectors (including the medical sector and schools), approximately 2 300 schools (99 per cent) are going to arrange SIV school outreach activities. Among these, over 1 330 schools (58 per cent) have scheduled to carry out the outreach activities by the end of this month, and over 2 170 schools (94 per cent) by the end of next month (November), which are respectively higher than last year’s 45 per cent and 83 per cent.

“Through the concerted efforts of schools and medical institutions, this season’s school outreach activities will generally be completed earlier than last season’s. Since the start of the school year, about 710 schools have held SIV school outreach activities, which is higher than of 560 compared to the same period in the last season. In addition, 23 schools have responded to the CHP’s call to advance their outreach activities, originally scheduled for December this year or January next year, to be held by the end of next month. We understand that participating schools have to take into account various objective factors such as the school calendar and staffing when scheduling school outreach activities, and coordinate with participating medical teams on the appropriate time. Should schools encounter any difficulties in advancing their outreach activities, they may contact the CHP during office hours at 3975 4872 and we will provide full assistance,” Dr Tsui added.

Currently, over 770 000 doses of vaccines have been administered under the various SIV Programmes, representing a 5.2 per cent increase in coverage rate compared to last year. However, vaccination rates among children aged 6 months to under 2 years remain relatively low.

Dr Tsui said the Government has opened all 29 of the DH’s Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) for all children aged 6 months to under 2 years. Moreover, the District Health Centres and District Health Centre Expresses and their service outlets under the Primary Healthcare Commission in the 18 districts, and 74 Family Medicine Clinics and 38 public hospitals of the Hospital Authority to provide more choices for the public. For a list of vaccination venues, please refer to the CHP’sVaccination Schemespage. Parents of eligible children may book an appointment for their children to receive vaccinations at designated MCHCs via theonline booking system.

For more information on the SIV programmes, visit thewebpageor call the CHP during office hours at 2125 2125.

CHP investigates confirmed Mpox case

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (October 22) that it is investigating a confirmed Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) case, and urged the public to be vigilant and avoid close physical contact with persons suspected of contracting Mpox. Meanwhile, high-risk target groups are advised to receive Mpox vaccinations.

The case involves a 30-year-old male. He developed a skin ulcer on October 11. He attended the Yung Fung Shee Social Hygiene Clinic of the DHon October 20. He is being isolated at Princess Margaret Hospital and is in stable condition.

According to the patient, he had not received Mpox vaccination and he had a history of high-risk exposure in Taiwan during the incubation period. No epidemiological linkages between this case and other confirmed cases recorded in Hong Kong earlier could be identified so far. The CHP is continuing its epidemiological investigations of the case and will report the case to the World Health Organization.

Hong Kong has put in place the Preparedness and Response Plan for Mpox since June 2022 and activated the alert response level under the Plan after the first confirmed case of Mpox in September of the same year. The CHP has implemented a series of measures (including enhanced surveillance, contact tracing, public education and vaccination), which have been effective in preventing local outbreaks of Mpox in the past three years.

Since 2022, a total of 81 Mpox cases (65 local and 16 imported) have been recorded in Hong Kong, of which 13 cases were recorded this year. All the patients were male. Epidemiological investigations revealed that most cases had history of high-risk sexual behaviours, including having sex with strangers or without wearing condoms when having sex. Hong Kong has not yet detected any new Mpox strain (Clade Ib) cases.

The CHP reminded high-risk target groups to receive Mpox vaccinations in order to lower the risk of infection or the possibility of having more severe symptoms after infection. In addition, persons who experience Mpox symptoms (including rashes, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain, and severe headaches) or suspect themselves of being infected are advised to seek medical attention and receive treatment at once. They should not engage in activities with others that may expose others to their skin rash or body fluids. Members of the public should maintain good personal and hand hygiene to prevent virus transmission or infection through contact. They should also avoid close physical contact with persons or animals suspected of being infected.

The CHP has set up an Mpox telephone hotline (2125 2373), which operates from Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, excluding public holidays. Those who suspect or are concerned that they may have had high-risk contact with confirmed cases, particularly men who have sex with men or those who have sexual practices with strangers, can use the hotline to make enquiries and receive relevant health advice.

Furthermore, the DH provides vaccination services to high-risk groups of Mpox. The following high-risk target groups are eligible for Mpox vaccinations on a voluntary basis:

High-risk target groups can receive Mpox walk-in vaccinations at any of the DH’s Social Hygiene Service Clinics (SocHS) (namely Chai Wan SocHS, Wan Chai Male SocHS, Wan Chai Female SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Male SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Female SocHS, Yung Fung Shee SocHS, Fanling SocHS and Tuen Mun SocHS) and the DH’s Yau Ma Tei Integrated Treatment Centre.

Meanwhile, the DH’s Kowloon Bay Integrated Treatment Centre and the Hospital Authority’s Special Medical Clinics at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital also provide Mpox vaccination services for their clients.

For more details, please visit the CHP’s page onMpoxandMpox Vaccination Programme.