17-Year-Old Develops Septic Shock from Influenza A at Queen Elizabeth Hospital
RTHK · 3 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
A previously healthy 17-year-old boy has been hospitalized with influenza A complicated by septic shock at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kowloon Central. The patient, who is currently in the intensive care unit, has stabilized after treatment. The Centre for Health Protection reports that flu activity in Hong Kong has risen to high levels, with 20 severe pediatric cases recorded since late June.
Key Points
- The 17-year-old boy started experiencing fever, cough, chills, headache, muscle pain, and fatigue last Friday (September 11) and sought treatment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital emergency department the following day .
- Laboratory tests confirmed influenza A virus, and the clinical diagnosis was influenza A with septic shock. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit where his condition has since stabilized .
- Preliminary investigation shows no travel history during the incubation period, and household contacts have shown no symptoms so far .
- Hong Kong has been in its flu season since late June, with overall flu activity rising further last week to high levels. The cumulative total of severe pediatric flu cases has reached 20, including one death .
- The 2026/27 seasonal flu vaccination program will launch this Thursday (September 17), with approximately 80 schools scheduled to conduct outreach activities this month—a significant increase from last year .
Why It Matters
With schools back in session and flu activity already at high levels, health authorities expect school-based flu outbreaks to increase in the coming weeks. The expanded school outreach vaccination program, now featuring an electronic consent system, aims to immunize students earlier than previous years to help curb transmission among young people who frequently gather in close-contact settings .
With schools back in session and flu activity already at high levels, health authorities expect school-based flu outbreaks to increase in the coming weeks. The expanded school outreach vaccination program, now featuring an electronic consent system, aims to immunize students earlier than previous years to help curb transmission among young people who frequently gather in close-contact settings .