The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) reported another severe paediatric case of influenza A on Wednesday, taking the number of such cases in the summer flu season to nine.

The latest patient is a 17-month-old girl with no significant underlying health conditions. She had not received a flu jab recently.

The toddler developed a fever and cough on Sunday, and her condition worsened the following day with shortness of breath.

She was subsequently admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and was diagnosed with influenza A complicated by severe pneumonia and septic shock.

She remains in critical condition.

Of nine severe paediatric flu infections recorded since late June, one had died, three others had been discharged, and the rest remained in hospital.

Citing surveillance data, CHP controller Edwin Tsui said flu transmission levels remained high across the community.

"As the number of infections is expected to rise, the number of severe cases will subsequently increase," he said.

"In general, the situation in the current influenza season is comparable to that of previous influenza seasons, and the disease primarily affects the elderly and children."

Tsui also urged parents to stay vigilant, as children's health can deteriorate rapidly when infected with influenza.

He advised parents to monitor their children closely and seek medical attention if they notice signs such as shortness of breath, wheezing, blue lips, chest pain, confusion, persistent fever, or convulsions.



Edited by Raymond Yeung