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Flu in Hong Kong

Flu in Hong Kong
Latest news and updates on seasonal influenza outbreaks in Hong Kong, including what is being done to combat the virus.
Students at a primary school in North Point. More than 85 per cent of Hong Kong infants and toddlers remain unvaccinated against the flu, an expert has said. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Broader virus protection urged as 86% of Hong Kong toddlers yet to get flu jabs

Experts urge public to get vaccinated against both influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, citing higher risk of co-infection among high-risk groups this winter.

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Editorial | Hong Kong must redouble vaccination efforts amid threat of longer flu season

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong’s flu season could extend into winter due to mutation: expert

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong battles mutated flu strain surge as second child dies this season

Health authorities say 11-month-old boy has become second flu death of the year, as public urged to get jabs to protect against complications.

People wear masks in Kennedy Town as a precaution against the flu. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Sixfold surge in flu outbreaks at Hong Kong schools as 13 severe cases reported

Health officials renew flu vaccination calls after three severe flu cases on consecutive days.

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Flu’s spread across Asia prompts Hong Kong groups to join vaccination appeal

Paediatric infectious diseases specialist Dr Mike Kwan says ‘timings of flu outbreaks have changed’ after Covid-19 pandemic.

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Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong faces ‘relatively severe’ flu outbreak, health authorities warn

Centre for Health Protection says percentage of positive cases has exceeded peak of previous season, with 451 outbreaks reported in schools so far.

The latest surveillance data showed that 12.02 per cent of respiratory specimens tested positive for seasonal flu viruses during the week of October 5 to October 11, up from 9.70 per cent the previous week. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Editorial | Unvaccinated girl’s flu death a reminder of need for community protection

The case should prompt schools and families to focus efforts on vaccinating children as soon as possible as flu seasons overlap.

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Explainer | How to differentiate between flu types in Hong Kong and protect yourself

Health experts share their advice after death of teen over the weekend raises alarm bells over seriousness of the disease in the city.

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong’s summer flu season very active, may last until November: expert

Centre for Health Protection controller Edwin Tsui also says that the summer and winter flu seasons are likely to overlap.

Pedestrians wearing face masks. An expert has said the number of flu cases has not yet peaked and that the summer season may last at least until November. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Advance flu shots, Hong Kong doctors tell parents and schools after girl’s death

Dr Mike Kwan says influenza B should not be underestimated as it is as dangerous as influenza A.

Specialists have called on Hong Kong schools and parents to bring forward vaccination appointments for pupils and children. Photo: Yik Yeung-man
Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong authorities brush off concerns over flu vaccine for pregnant women

Doctors will assess group before injections, authorities say in response to worries over Sinovac’s jab being offered in vaccine programme.

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Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Sinovac flu shots safe for pregnant women, Hong Kong health experts say

Product description of Sinovac vaccine says no clinical trial data on pregnant women is available, sparking concern.

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Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong schools required to give reasons for opting out of flu jab scheme

New measure among policies aiming to boost flu vaccine coverage rate, with latest seasonal jab programme starting on September 25.

Health officials have said last year’s flu vaccine coverage was “quite high”, resulting in fewer serious cases. Photo: Edmond So
Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hongkongers aged 18 to 49 with chronic illnesses to receive subsidised flu jabs

Government source says move to be implemented this year will give patients access to relevant information and community healthcare services.

A resident receives a flu vaccination in Wan Chai in September 2024. Photo: May Tse
Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong scientists make breakthrough on flu vaccine offering more protection

Professor Leo Poon says long-lasting protective effects of potential new vaccine may reduce need to receive yearly jabs.

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong health authorities say winter flu season over but warn of summer peak

City records 488 severe cases in adults over winter, with 330 deaths – lower than the last flu season before Covid-19 pandemic.

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Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong’s flu season to peak in late February, jab rates still low: experts

Infection numbers will increase as residents returning from abroad bring virus back to Hong Kong, CUHK’s David Hui warns.

A woman and a child wear masks at a playground. Since the start of the flu season in January, the city has recorded 240 severe cases, with 90 per cent of the adult ones involving people aged 65 and above. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong flu cases to spike as students, residents return from holiday: expert

Dr Edwin Tsui’s warning follows surge in vaccine inquiries and bookings after actress Barbie Hsu’s death from flu-triggered pneumonia in Japan.

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Flu jab inquiries, bookings rise in Hong Kong after death of Barbie Hsu

Doctors say more people visiting clinics after news of Taiwanese actress’ death from pneumonia, triggered by flu.

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Hong Kong society

Chronically ill Hongkongers urged to avoid Japan, other flu-hit countries

Risk for chronically ill patients who contract influenza must be taken seriously, doctors warn after death of Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu in Japan.

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Tourists in Kyoto, Japan. Several travel destinations popular with Hongkongers are undergoing flu surges, including Japan. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

19-month-old boy in critical condition with flu at Hong Kong hospital

Only fifth of children aged two and under have been vaccinated against flu, official data shows.

A notice on infection control steps at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Residents have been reminded to take preventive measures to minimise the risk of infection, including wearing surgical masks, and maintaining good personal and environmental hygiene. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong records 88 flu deaths in first weeks of winter influenza season

Figure represents nearly 30 per cent increase over number of fatalities recorded during same period last winter.

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Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Don’t delay seeking help for children with flu symptoms, Hong Kong parents urged

Warning from leading medical expert follows spate of severe cases complicated by other viruses and bacterial infections.

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong flu season expected to peak in February; 15 deaths confirmed

Respiratory medicine expert David Hui calls for more residents to get jabs, notes only 20 per cent of those aged 50 to 64 vaccinated.

Screens showing a flu alert in the accident and emergency department at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Yau Ma Tei. Photo: Nora Tam
Hong Kong society

Editorial | Cooperation best on flu jabs for Hong Kong’s children

With peak influenza season nearing and cases on the rise in Hong Kong, it makes sense for the young and elderly to get vaccinated.

Two young girls are seen as the Hospital Authority holds a press conference on flu vaccine in Kwun Tong. Photo: Edmond So
Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong minister urges schools to join flu jab drive after child hospitalised

Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau argues no valid reason for opting out of programme offering vaccination free of charge.

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Hong Kong weather

Flu outbreaks surge at Hong Kong schools as cold weather warning issued

The forecaster issued the warning at 6am, expecting the weather to be persistently cold over next few days.

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