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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (December 31) announced the arrival of the winter influenza season and hence again urged the public to heighten vigilance and get vaccinated early against seasonal influenza.
Surveillance data
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The latest laboratory surveillance of the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch indicated that Hong Kong has entered the winter influenza season as the percentage positive for influenza viruses among respiratory specimens received rose from 3.46 per cent in the week ending December 20 to 8.37 per cent in that ending December 27, compared to 1.76 per cent for the week ending December 6.
The major circulating influenza virus among positive influenza virus detections for the last two weeks was A(H3N2).
In addition, the number of institutional outbreaks of influenza-like illness (ILI) increased from four (affecting 35 persons) last week to six (affecting 26 persons) in the first three days of this week.
The weekly consultation rates of ILI reported by both sentinel general out-patient clinics (GOPCs) and private doctors have steadily increased in the past few weeks. In GOPCs, it rose from 3.1 ILI cases per 1 000 consultations in the week ending December 20 to 5.4 cases per 1 000 consultations in the next, compared to 2.7 in that ending December 6.
Enhanced surveillance
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From January 2, 2015 onwards, the CHP will collaborate with public hospitals under the Hospital Authority, as well as with private hospitals, to reactivate enhanced surveillance of severe seasonal influenza, that is cases of influenza-associated admissions to the intensive care unit or deaths aged 18 or above during the winter influenza season, so as to further monitor the severity of illness as in previous influenza seasons.
A total of 266 cases (including 133 deaths or 50 per cent) were recorded in the last winter season in early 2014, while 70 cases (including 29 deaths or 41 per cent) were filed in that in 2013.
At the same time, the CHP will continue its routine surveillance of severe paediatric influenza-associated complications or deaths of people aged below 18 years. As of yesterday (December 30), 27 cases (including three deaths in the last winter season and one in the summer season) were reported this year, while 13 cases (no deaths) were filed in 2013.
"We will closely monitor overseas and local influenza activities as the winter influenza season arrives," a spokesman for the CHP said.
Vaccination
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As the winter influenza season arrives, members of the public should get vaccinated promptly for personal protection as the immune response takes about two to four weeks to develop. Vaccination is one of the effective means to prevent influenza, its complications and associated hospitalisations and deaths.
Pregnant women, the elderly, young children and persons with underlying illnesses are strongly advised to promptly get vaccinated as influenza can cause serious complications in these high-risk groups. Given that the influenza vaccine is safe and effective, and that serious influenza infections can occur even in healthy individuals, seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged six months or above, except those with known contraindications.
"The public should consult their family doctors for details and arrangements. We urge eligible young children and elderly persons to come forward for vaccination under the Vaccination Subsidy Schemes (VSS) with increased subsidies from $130 to $160 per dose while eligible groups under the Government Vaccination Programme (GVP) should also get vaccinated early," the spokesman added.
As of December 28, about 198 000 and 196 000 doses of seasonal influenza vaccines have been administered to eligible groups under the VSS and the GVP 2014/15 respectively.
The public should take heed of the preventive measures below against influenza and other respiratory illnesses:
* 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 ventilation;
* Avoid visiting crowded places with poor ventilation; and
* Wear surgical masks and seek medical advice promptly if symptoms of respiratory tract infections or fever develop.
The public may visit the CHP's pages below for more information:
* The influenza page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/14843.html);
* The weekly Flu Express report (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/2108.html);
* The vaccination schemes page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/17980.html); and
* The list of participating doctors (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/34664.html).
Ends/Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Issued at HKT 15:45
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