Girl Becomes Second Pediatric Flu Death This Summer in Hong Kong

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) announced that a 12-year-old girl had died due to complicated flu complications, making her the second such death this summer. She had underlying health conditions and had not received the flu vaccine during the incubation period. The public health body urged citizens to take preventive measures and receive the flu vaccine promptly to build community immunity and reduce the risk of severe illness and death due to flu.

Health authorities on Wednesday urged vulnerable groups to get vaccinated after a 12-year-old girl became the second pediatric death of the summer flu season due to complications from influenza. The child, who had underlying health issues, tested positive for influenza A(H1) and had multiple severe complications including multiple organ failure.

Severe Cases on the Rise

Since the current flu season began in late June, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) has recorded 25 severe pediatric infections, two of which resulted in death, and three patients are in either serious or critical condition. The remaining patients have recovered.

Urging for Vaccination

CHP controller Edwin Tsui said that the flu vaccine coverage is relatively low, prompting the government to investigate 460 cases of flu-like outbreaks in schools affecting approximately 2,800 individuals since September. He emphasized that the public should not underestimate the severity of influenza and urged people to take preventive measures, including timely vaccination, to build community immunity and reduce risks of severe illness and death.