Flu cases hit new high

May 29, 2012

The Centre for Health Protection today urged people to maintain vigilance against influenza, as flu activity hits its highest level so far this year.
 
Flu cases increased from 329 in the week ending May 5, to 1,113 in the week ending May 26.
 
The number of institutional influenza-like illness outbreaks increased from 16 to 64 during the same period. Influenza A (H3N2) accounted for more than 95% of cases over the last four weeks.
 
There have been 214 cases (including 128 deaths) with ICU admissions or deaths with laboratory-confirmed influenza recorded since January 13.
 
Fourteen paediatric cases (including two deaths) with severe influenza-associated complications or deaths have been recorded this year.
 
Compared with the first quarter last year, this year’s flu season has caused a higher proportion of serious or fatal cases among the elderly, and a lower proportion of serious or fatal cases among children under five.
 
The Government Vaccination Programme will end on May 31. More than 233,000 flu vaccine doses have been administered to specified target groups, up 2.6% on the same period last year.
 
More than 174,000 doses have been administered to eligible groups under the Childhood Influenza Vaccination Subsidy Scheme and the Elderly Vaccination Subsidy Scheme.