Five-year-old boy develops severe sepsis and brain disorder from Influenza A

A five-year-old boy is battling sepsis and a brain disorder following an influenza A infection, as reported by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP).

This incident marks the second severe case of pediatric influenza A in an unvaccinated child within two consecutive days.

According to the CHP, the previously healthy boy experienced a high fever and sore throat on Sunday and was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital the next day. 

He was subsequently diagnosed with the influenza A H1 virus, which has led to complications of sepsis and encephalopathy, and he remains hospitalized in critical condition.

“In the first three days of this week, the CHP has recorded two severe cases of influenza A infection in unvaccinated children, including a 14-year-old girl reported yesterday (January 20),” said a CHP spokesman, emphasizing the importance of vaccination.

The center noted that the unvaccinated boy had no recent travel history during his incubation period, and all household contacts are currently asymptomatic. 

Also, there has been no recent influenza outbreak reported at his school. The CHP urges the public to get vaccinated promptly to prevent further complications.

(Wallis Wang)