Medical experts are calling on the public to maintain good hygiene and get flu jabs, after clinics reported a surge in infections.

The president of the Hong Kong Medical Association, Cheng Chi-man, said on a RTHK programme on Monday that clinics have seen a significant increase in patients in the last two weeks.

University of Hong Kong microbiologist Dr Ho Pak-leung said the SAR may see a more serious flu outbreak if temperatures drop.

"Winter in Hong Kong is generally mild. This Lunar New Year in January, the flu outbreak could be less serious as long as the weather isn't that cold and temperatures just fall to between 10 and 15 degrees" he said on a radio programme.

"But if temperatures dip below 10 degrees, the outbreak could happen quickly and it could be more serious than in the past.”