A fourth child has died from influenza in Hong Kong this year, as the city battles a sharp rise in infections amid the current flu season.
The six-year-old boy had no history of poor health and had not received a flu jab before he was taken to a private doctor with a fever and a runny nose last Saturday.
The child was sent to Prince Wales Hospital on Monday after his condition worsened. He was then admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit after he became critical.
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The child died on Wednesday afternoon.
Laboratory tests on the boy’s respiratory specimen came back positive for influenza A (H1).
A clinical diagnosis also indicated he had contracted the virus, which was complicated by encephalopathy, a group of conditions that cause brain dysfunction.
The Centre for Health Protection received 10,644 respiratory specimens last week, with 14.54 per cent of them, or 1,548, testing positive for seasonal influenza A or B. The figure was above the baseline threshold of 9.21 per cent.
It also surpassed the previous week’s figure of 10.63 per cent.
The centre said seasonal influenza vaccination was one of the most effective means of preventing flu and any related complications.
“It takes about two weeks to develop antibodies. Members of the public are advised to receive seasonal influenza vaccination early for protection,” it said.
More from South China Morning Post:
- Death of third Hong Kong child from flu sparks urgent appeal for public to receive influenza shots
- Low herd immunity in Hong Kong may prolong flu season, experts warn after 6-year-old girl dies
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