Seven-year-old girl in serious condition with influenza A

2nd November 2026 – (Hong Kong) The Centre for Health Protection recorded a severe paediatric influenza case involving a previously healthy seven‑year‑old girl, renewing appeals for the public not to underestimate seasonal flu and to receive vaccination promptly while maintaining good personal and environmental hygiene to curb respiratory infections.

The child developed fever, cough and fatigue on 27th October and first consulted a private clinic. As her condition persisted, she attended the accident and emergency department at Kwong Wah Hospital on 29th October and was admitted the same day. Her condition deteriorated with breathing difficulties, leading to a transfer to the paediatric intensive care unit.

Laboratory testing of respiratory specimens confirmed influenza A (H1). Clinically, she has been diagnosed with influenza A complicated by severe pneumonia and remains in a serious condition.

Initial enquiries indicate the girl had not travelled during the incubation period and had not received a seasonal influenza vaccine. Household contacts recently experienced fever and mild upper respiratory symptoms; none required hospital care and they have since recovered.

Dr Edwin Tsui Lok‑kin, Controller of the Centre for Health Protection, noted that Hong Kong entered the influenza season in late June and it has persisted for about four months. While recent surveillance suggests a decline in overall activity, it remains above baseline. Cumulatively this season, there have been 29 severe paediatric influenza cases: 20 patients have been discharged, two are stable, one is serious, four are critical and two deaths have been recorded. (chp.gov.hk)

He added that protection afforded by influenza vaccines wanes gradually around nine months after inoculation, which is why the World Health Organization recommends annual vaccination. With most people now more than nine months past their 2025/26 inoculation, population‑level immunity has inevitably fallen. The prolonged period of elevated influenza activity has increased the risk of infection and severe disease in high‑risk groups. People who were infected this season but have not yet been vaccinated are also urged to receive a jab to guard against other circulating strains. Vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent severe seasonal influenza and its complications, and it reduces the risks of hospitalisation and death.

Analysis of last year’s data shows that unvaccinated children had about five times the rate of severe complications or death after influenza infection compared with vaccinated children, while unvaccinated care‑home residents aged 65 or above experienced severe flu at around four times the rate of vaccinated peers.

The 2026/27 seasonal influenza vaccination programme began on 17th September, including the School Outreach Programme, which this year introduced eHealth electronic consent to make participation easier for families and to streamline administration for healthcare providers and schools. Around 1,660 schools have already hosted outreach sessions, and completion is expected by mid‑December, roughly two weeks earlier than last year.