Fourth child severe flu case this month reported in Hong Kong

A 15-year-old girl became the fourth child with severe seasonal influenza this month; she required hospitalization with low blood pressure but is now stable.

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) received notification today of a severe influenza case in a previously healthy 15-year-old girl. 

She developed fever, cough, sore throat, muscle pain, and fatigue on January 27, sought care at a family medicine clinic the next day, and was referred to Tseung Kwan O Hospital Accident & Emergency (A&E). 

She was admitted, experienced low blood pressure, and was critically ill initially. Respiratory samples tested positive for influenza A (H3). She remains hospitalized but stable with normal blood pressure.

She had received the 2025/26 seasonal flu vaccine. Five household contacts included three with mild respiratory symptoms who recovered without admission. No recent travel or school outbreak at Yan Chai Hospital Wong Wha San Secondary School.

Hong Kong recorded four severe pediatric flu cases this year (ages 6 months to 15 years); two were unvaccinated (one vaccinated only three days before onset, counted as unvaccinated). 

Last summer flu season saw 25 severe child cases, including three deaths (ages 6 months to 17 years); 80 percent were unvaccinated.

Edwin Tsui Lok-kin, controller of the CHP warned cold weather may sustain or increase flu activity, with possible strain changes. He urged everyone aged 6 months and older without contraindications to get vaccinated promptly, including those infected last summer, to protect against potential new strains in winter. Despite some antigenic differences in circulating H3, the vaccine still offers protection against sub-clade K variants, H1 and B strains.

School outbreaks continue. Parents of unvaccinated children should arrange shots via private doctors under the subsidy scheme. Vaccination rate for infants 6 months to under 2 years is only about 23%, up 4 percentage points but far below other groups. The Centre is urging family doctors to promote uptake.