Via the Centre for Health Protection: CHP appeals for heightened vigilance against increasing seasonal influenza activity. Excerpt:
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 3) reported that local seasonal influenza activity has been increasing in the past two weeks, and appealed to the community for heightened vigilance as Hong Kong will enter the winter influenza season soon.
"Our latest surveillance data show that the local seasonal influenza activity steadily increased from a baseline level. We anticipate that the seasonal influenza activity will continue to increase and the winter influenza season in Hong Kong will arrive soon. Members of the public should maintain good personal protection against influenza," a spokesman for the CHP said.
"Particularly, children, the elderly and those with underlying illnesses are urged to get vaccinated as early as possible to prevent seasonal influenza as it takes about two weeks for antibodies to develop in the body after vaccination. They should promptly seek medical advice if influenza-like symptoms develop so that appropriate treatment can be initiated as early as possible to prevent potential complications. Parents and carers are reminded to render assistance in prevention, care and control for vulnerable people," the spokesman added.
The positive percentage of seasonal influenza viruses among respiratory specimens received by the CHP increased from 3.93 per cent in the week ending December 16 to 6.02 per cent and 9.32 per cent in the following two weeks. The circulating influenza viruses in the past two weeks were predominantly influenza B, with low influenza A activity.
In the above period, the weekly average rate of the influenza-like illness (ILI) syndrome group in the accident and emergency departments increased from 161.3 cases per 1 000 coded cases to 170.2 and 196.1. The overall admission rate with principal diagnosis of influenza in public hospitals increased from 0.09 per 10 000 population to 0.15 and 0.23.
As of December 26, 2017, about 369 100 and 244 600 doses of seasonal influenza vaccines had been administered via the Government Vaccination Programme (free vaccination) and the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme (subsidised vaccination) respectively, increasing by 10.0 per cent and 3.4 per cent from the same period in the 2016-17 season.
