122 deaths from flu in just four weeks, CHP head says

Hong Kong recorded 122 deaths during the first four weeks of the flu season that began in early January.

Centre for Health Protection controller Edwin Tsui Lok-kin said that the level of flu activity in Hong Kong and several other countries in the Northern Hemisphere is currently high.

“Since the flu season began in early January, the center has recorded 199 adult flu cases requiring intensive care or resulting in death within the first four weeks, compared to 127 cases during the same period of the previous flu season," Tsui said. 

He noted that nearly 90 percent of the deaths involved individuals aged 65 and older. 

Among children, there were nine severe flu-related complications, with seven unvaccinated, he said.

Tsui called on travelers to monitor the infectious disease situation at their destination and maintain personal and environmental hygiene.

(Cheng Wong)