CHP investigates case of severe paediatric influenza A infection
****************************************************************
The 6-year-old boy, with good past health, has presented with diarrhea on December 19 and then fever, cough with sputum as well as runny nose since December 20. He was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) on December 22 and was subsequently transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit for further management on the same day.
His nasopharyngeal aspirate tested positive for influenza A (H3) upon testing by TMH. The clinical diagnosis is acute necrotising encephalitis. The patient is now in critical condition.
Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period and his home contacts remained asymptomatic.
The public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against influenza and other respiratory illnesses:
* Receive seasonal influenza vaccination for personal protection;
* Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
* When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
* Wash or clean hands frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, or after touching public installations such as handrails or door knobs;
* Cover the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
* Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly in a lidded rubbish bin;
* Put on a surgical mask when respiratory symptoms develop;
* Maintain good indoor ventilation;
* When influenza is prevalent, avoid going to crowded or poorly ventilated public places; high-risk individuals may consider putting on surgical masks when staying in such places; and
* Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.
The public may visit the following CHP pages for more information: the influenza page, the weekly Flu Express report and the vaccination schemes page.
Ends/Friday, December 23, 2016
Issued at HKT 13:27
Issued at HKT 13:27
NNNN