**************************************
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 16) called on the public to maintain vigilance against seasonal influenza as the latest surveillance data showed that Hong Kong has entered the winter influenza peak season.
The number of influenza-like illness outbreaks occurring in institutions and schools has increased from zero in the week ending January 7 to 16 in the week ending January 14. The Public Health Laboratory Centre (PHLC) of the CHP has also detected increases in the number of influenza isolations recently. The number of influenza virus detections reported increased from 99 in the week ending December 24, 2011, to 131 in week ending January 14, 2012. The majority (63 per cent) of influenza viruses isolated in the recent two weeks were influenza B, followed by influenza A (H3N2) (35 per cent).
In addition, the CHP has collaborated with the Hospital Authority (HA) and private hospitals to enhance surveillance during the winter peak influenza season concerning patients with influenza infection who required intensive care admission or died since January 13, 2012. At the same time, the CHP will continue to closely monitor the cases with severe paediatric influenza-associated complication or death. Since the enhancement of surveillance on January 13, there have been no reports of patients with influenza infection who required intensive care admission or died and no reports of severe paediatric influenza-associated complication or death (as of noon on January 16).
The CHP also noted an increasing trend in influenza activities in some countries and areas in Europe and Taiwan in recent weeks.
"We will continue to closely monitor the overseas and local situation of influenza activity as Hong Kong enters the winter peak season," a CHP spokesman said. He strongly advised target groups for influenza vaccination to take the last opportunity to receive jabs as the protective immune response takes about two to four weeks to develop after vaccination.
As at January 15, over 361,600 doses of seasonal influenza vaccine had been administered to target groups under the Government Vaccination Programme and Vaccination Subsidy Scheme 2011-12.
The spokesman said, "Influenza can cause medical complications especially among vulnerable people such as the elderly, young children and those with chronic medical conditions. During the winter peak influenza season last year, the CHP, in collaboration with the HA and private hospitals to enhance surveillance concerning patients with influenza infection who required intensive care admission or died, recorded 123 severe cases including 34 deaths between January 24 and March 31, 2011.
The public are reminded to take the following measures to prevent respiratory tract infection:
* Build up good body immunity by having a proper diet, regular exercise and adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking;
* Maintain good personal and environmental hygiene;
* Wash hands after sneezing, coughing or cleaning the nose;
* Maintain good indoor ventilation; and
* Avoid visiting crowded places with poor ventilation.
Members of the public, particularly young children, elderly people and those with chronic diseases, should wear face masks and consult their doctors promptly if they develop influenza-like symptoms.
Ends/Monday, January 16, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:58
NNNN
