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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 21) urged the public, particularly young children, the elderly and persons with chronic illnesses, to get vaccinated early, as the latest surveillance data showed that the local seasonal influenza activity had been increasing and the winter influenza season is expected to arrive soon.
"Based on the recent trend, the influenza activity is expected to continue to rise in the very cold weather in the coming days. Apart from vaccination, the public should observe strict hand, personal and environmental hygiene against influenza and other respiratory infections," a spokesman for the CHP said.
Latest surveillance data
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The percentage positive for seasonal influenza viruses increased from 5.18 per cent in the week ending January 9 to 5.85 per cent last week among respiratory specimens received by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch. Among influenza virus detections last week, 56 per cent were A(H1N1)pdm09 while 28 per cent were B. Of note, these percentages are more accurate in analysing the disease trend than absolute numbers of detections as the total number of specimens received varies every week.
"Virus characterisation studies to date have not revealed significant differences between circulating and vaccine virus strains," the spokesman said.
Turning to influenza-like illness (ILI), in the same period, the ILI consultation rate reported by sentinel private doctors rose from 39.9 ILI cases per 1 000 consultations to 55.3.
The number of ILI outbreaks in institutions and schools was eight in both last week (affecting 33 persons) and this week (45 persons) as of yesterday (January 20). In the past four weeks, outbreaks mainly occurred in primary schools (55 per cent) and kindergartens or child care centres (35 per cent).
The influenza-associated admission rate in public hospitals among children aged under 5 increased from 0.50 cases per 10 000 persons in the week ending January 9 to 0.68 last week, while that among elderly aged 65 or above stood at 0.09 in both weeks.
Detailed surveillance data are carried in the weekly Flu Express report (www.chp.gov.hk/en/guideline1_year/29/134/441/304.html) published today.
Vaccination
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As of January 17, about 358 000 doses of seasonal influenza vaccines had been administered under the Government Vaccination Programme (GVP) and about 172 000 under the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme, i.e. about 530 000 in total, an increase of 20 per cent compared to the same period in 2014-15.
"Regarding the GVP's stock, about 40 000 doses are now left. We expect that they may be depleted shortly around Lunar New Year. Eligible groups yet to be vaccinated should do so early for better protection before the influenza season arrives, as antibodies take about two weeks to develop. Vaccination services will continue until all vaccines are used up. The public may refer to the notice to be displayed in respective clinics and centres," a spokesman for the CHP said.
The public may visit the GVP page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/18630.html) for the list of General Out-patient Clinics and Elderly Health Centres where vaccines are still available. They may also call the CHP hotline (2125 2125) for enquiries during office hours.
Alternatively, eligible persons can also receive vaccination with a $160 subsidy per dose via the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme. The public may refer to the list of enrolled private doctors in the eHealth system (https://apps.hcv.gov.hk/SDIR/EN/index.aspx).
"We also appeal to members of the public for early vaccination upon consultation with their family doctors for better personal protection before the season arrives," the spokesman said.
Neighbouring and overseas areas
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Influenza activities in neighbouring and overseas areas in the Northern Hemisphere have been on the rise, including the United States, Canada, Europe, the United Kingdom and Taiwan where A(H1N1)pdm09 was predominating. In the Mainland, while A and B were co-circulating, among A detections the major circulating virus was A(H1N1)pdm09 in southern provinces and A(H3N2) in northern provinces.
"We will continue to closely monitor local and overseas influenza activities as the winter influenza season approaches," the spokesman said.
Ends/Thursday, January 21, 2016
Issued at HKT 17:33
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