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Ng Kang-chung

Hong Kong has recorded 88 flu deaths since the current influenza season began early this month, up by nearly 30 per cent from the 68 fatalities in the same period during last winter’s surge, according to the latest figures released by the Centre for Health Protection.
The health minister on Friday urged hospitals and clinics to help promote flu shots and said a recent decision to publish a list of schools that did not take part in a voluntary inoculation campaign was the right decision.
The winter flu season began on January 5, and experts have warned that the worst is yet to come as the peak is forecast to occur in February.
According to the centre’s weekly flu surveillance report published on Thursday, 65 adults with flu were admitted to intensive care units last week.
“Among the 65 adult cases, 45 were not known to have received the 2024-25 seasonal influenza vaccine,” the report said.
Fourteen cases were recorded during the first two days of this week, with 10 being fatal.
During the first three weeks of the flu season, 144 adults were admitted to intensive care units. This compared with 111 cases logged during the last winter surge.
Health authorities have recorded 88 deaths so far during the current season, while 68 were logged during the first three weeks of the previous flu season last winter, an increase of 29 per cent.
As of Wednesday, eight severe paediatric cases involving flu-associated complications had been reported since the start of the current season. None of the cases were fatal.

In schools or institutions, 28 flu outbreaks were reported last week, affecting 130 people, according to the report. This compared with 25 outbreaks, affecting 174 people in the previous week.
The centre was satisfied that the “overall number was at the low intensity level currently”.
But Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau expressed dissatisfaction with the flu vaccine rates for children aged six months to two years and secondary school students.
Lo said in a radio interview on Friday that regardless of whether some parents were reluctant to arrange for their children to receive shots on medical grounds, the government and the healthcare profession had a duty to continue to provide accurate information about the benefits of vaccination.
Earlier this month, health authorities stirred up controversy by singling out 168 schools for declining to arrange on-campus flu vaccinations and published the list online. The schools included international and local elite ones.
But some principals and education sector representatives said it was unfair to name and shame the schools without considering their reasons for not joining an inoculation campaign that was voluntary.
Lo on Friday maintained the publication of the list was the right call.
“The announcement should not be viewed as a negative move. I think it is a positive move,” he said, adding that most of the schools had joined the vaccination scheme after their names were published.
“Everyone knows the importance of getting vaccinated. The pressure is not from the government. It is from the virus. Schools feel that the flu epidemic can be a big deal and feel the pressure.”


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Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

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

The accident and emergency department at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Yau Ma Tei. The winter flu season began on January 5, and experts have warned that the worst is yet to come. Photo: Jelly Tse

During the first three weeks of the winter flu season, 144 adults were admitted to intensive care units. Photo: Jelly Tse

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

People wait at the Prince of Wales Hospital’s accident and emergency department. Photo: Jelly Tse

An expert has expressed concerns over a surge in hospital cases involving children who have contracted both the flu and the respiratory syncytial virus. Photo: Sam Tsang

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

Authorities have urged schools to joins the on-campus vaccination programme for children. Photo: Jelly Tse

Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau has said that schools have an obligation to protect young children. Photo: Sun Yeung

News

Hong Kong

Health & Environment

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


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


Flu in Hong Kong