2 weeks Ago By Kelly Ho
Hong Kong’s health authorities have declared that the winter influenza season, that began in early January, “has come to an end.” However, they are urging residents to remain vigilant in anticipation of a flu season this summer.People wearing face masks in Central.
File photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.Hong Kong recorded 488 severe cases and 330 deaths among adults during the flu season, which lasted for around 11 weeks, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) and the Department of Health said in a Thursday press release.Severe cases involving children stood at 10, and no deaths were recorded.
Edwin Tsui, controller of the CHP, said that seasonal influenza activity in the city surged to the highest level in late January and early February before gradually declining.Over the past two weeks, the weekly number of influenza-like illness outbreaks in schools and institutions stood at an average of 12. The figure marked a decrease from more than 20 outbreaks per week between January and February, the CHP said.
“As various indicators suggest that the influenza virus is at a low activity level, the CHP assesses that the influenza season is over,” Tsui said in a statement.Students wearing face masks. File photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Health authorities found that the most recent flu season was dominated by the influenza A (H1) virus strain. Tsui attributed the drop in severe cases this season to the “general public’s willingness to receive the seasonal flu vaccine.”As of March 23, around 2.
07 million flu jab doses were administered under the 2024-25 seasonal influenza vaccine programmes, the disease control and prevention agency said.The number was a new “record high” – up 12.2 per cent compared with the number of doses administered last season, it said.
Covid-19 activity uptick Health authorities also warned that respiratory pathogens would become more active in spring and summer, while the activity of Covid-19 in the local community also showed an increase recently.Tsui said the risk of having a summer influenza season in Hong Kong was “still present,” with the summer flu season usually arriving in July and August. Members of the public have to “guard against” respiratory infections and get vaccinated, the CHP controller said.
“The public should maintain good personal, hand and environmental hygiene. Furthermore, high-risk persons should receive Covid-19 booster doses at appropriate times to lower the risks of serious illness and death,” Tsui said.Support HKFP | Policies & Ethics | Error/typo? | Contact Us | Newsletter | Transparency & Annual Report | AppsHelp safeguard press freedom & keep HKFP free for all readers by supporting our team.
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