14-Year-Old in Serious Condition After Developing Severe Flu Complications
HK01 · 6 SOURCESabout 4 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A 14-year-old girl with pre-existing health conditions is fighting for her life at United Hospital's Paediatric Intensive Care Unit after developing severe complications from Type A H1N1 influenza. The Centre for Health Protection confirmed she tested positive for the virus and was diagnosed with severe pneumonia and septic shock. This serious case comes as Hong Kong grapples with elevated influenza activity levels, prompting health officials to warn of potential school outbreaks as the new academic year gets underway.
Key Points
- The 14-year-old patient, who has a long-term medical condition, tested positive for Type A H1N1 influenza and is currently in serious condition in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at United Hospital
- She developed fever, runny nose, and cough on Wednesday, 2 September, sought treatment at United Hospital's Accident and Emergency Department, and was transferred to the PICU the following day after her condition rapidly deteriorated
- Two household contacts recently developed upper respiratory symptoms and also tested positive for Type A influenza, though both have mild symptoms and do not require hospitalisation
- The patient had no travel history during the incubation period, and no epidemiological link to other cases has been identified
- Hong Kong has recorded 13 severe paediatric influenza cases since entering the flu season in late June: 8 have recovered and been discharged, 2 are in stable condition, 1 is serious, 1 is in critical condition, and 1 death
- According to the latest surveillance data, influenza activity remains at high levels, with community transmission widespread and case numbers continuing to rise
- Centre for Health Protection Director Dr. Tsui Lok-kin warned that flu activity is expected to remain elevated during the early school term, with potential outbreaks in educational settings
Why It Matters
With influenza activity at high levels and the new academic year just beginning, this serious case underscores the heightened risk of severe complications among children with underlying health conditions, making timely vaccination particularly urgent for the school-aged population before potential outbreaks take hold .
With influenza activity at high levels and the new academic year just beginning, this serious case underscores the heightened risk of severe complications among children with underlying health conditions, making timely vaccination particularly urgent for the school-aged population before potential outbreaks take hold .