7-Year-Old Girl in Critical Condition After Flu Complications in Hong Kong
HK01 · 6 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
A seven-year-old Hong Kong girl with underlying health conditions is in critical condition after contracting influenza A (H1) and developing septic shock. The Centre for Health Protection confirmed the case on Saturday, noting the girl had not been vaccinated against this season's flu. Three of her classmates have displayed mild flu symptoms. This brings the total number of severe paediatric flu cases this season to 28, including two fatalities.
Key Points
- The seven-year-old girl developed symptoms including runny nose, diarrhoea and abdominal pain on October 29, followed by fever and convulsions on October 30
- She was taken to Tuen Mun Hospital's emergency department on October 30, where her condition deteriorated and she was transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit
- Laboratory tests confirmed influenza A (H1) infection, with clinical diagnosis being influenza complicated by septic shock; she remains in critical condition
- The girl had not received the 2026/27 seasonal flu vaccine and had no travel history during the incubation period
- Three classmates from her school have developed mild flu symptoms but do not require hospitalisation; the Centre has recommended infection control measures
- Centre Director Dr Tsui Lok-kin stated that Hong Kong entered the flu season in late June, lasting four months so far
- This season's 28 severe paediatric flu cases include 20 recoveries, two stable cases, four critical cases and two deaths
- Dr Tsui noted flu vaccine effectiveness decreases after approximately nine months, and most residents' protection from last year's vaccine has waned
Why It Matters
The case highlights ongoing risks for unvaccinated children during Hong Kong's prolonged flu season, which has already claimed two paediatric lives. Health authorities are urging all residents aged six months or older without known contraindications to get vaccinated immediately, as the combination of declining population immunity and extended high flu activity increases vulnerability to severe complications, especially among high-risk groups like children with pre-existing conditions .
The case highlights ongoing risks for unvaccinated children during Hong Kong's prolonged flu season, which has already claimed two paediatric lives. Health authorities are urging all residents aged six months or older without known contraindications to get vaccinated immediately, as the combination of declining population immunity and extended high flu activity increases vulnerability to severe complications, especially among high-risk groups like children with pre-existing conditions .