Health authorities said on Friday that a 14-month-old baby girl with severe influenza has died, the third child flu death in Hong Kong this year.

The toddler, who had been in good health, developed a fever and cough in late October and was taken to Tseung Kwan O Hospital after suffering a convulsion.

Her condition deteriorated and she was transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit of United Christian Hospital before passing away on Friday.

In a statement, the Centre for Health Protection said the latest surveillance data showed overall influenza activity has declined but remains above baseline levels.

The centre noted that a cumulative total of 29 severe paediatric influenza cases have been recorded since the start of the current flu season in June.

Apart from the three fatalities, 22 have recovered and been discharged, two are in stable condition and two in critical condition.

Health authorities urged members of the public to promptly receive the seasonal influenza vaccine if they have not yet done so.


Edited by Edmond Fong