Twelve people have died from influenza in Hong Kong in three days, bringing the death toll to 336 so far this year. From March 9 to 11, the Center for Health Protection reported 17 adults and two children with severe cases of influenza, the Oriental Daily reported, adding that 541 severe cases have been recorded so far this year.
Flu outbreaks in local schools have been continuing and from March 4 to 10, a total of 44 kindergartens and primary schools recorded flu outbreaks, twice the number of the previous week.
Meanwhile, an 8-year-old boy who had been in good health came down with a fever and convulsions on March 8 and was admitted to Kwong Wah Hospital in Kowloon’s Yau Ma Tei two days later. He was then transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit, according to a government statement.
He tested positive for the influenza B virus and the clinical diagnosis was encephalopathy. He is now in a serious condition.
A 3-year-old girl who lives in Shenzhen and had also been in good health was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital in the New Territories on Sunday. Tests confirmed she was suffering from influenza A. Her condition has now been changed from critical to serious.