Centre for Health Protection Controller Dr Thomas Tsang has urged the public to guard against influenza as Hong Kong has entered the winter flu peak season. This year’s peak may be dominated by human swine influenza virus.
Dr Tsang today told reporters the latest surveillance shows a continuous rise in the number of flu isolates, with 149 isolates recorded last week, mainly human swine influenza (75%), seasonal influenza B (11%) or seasonal influenza A (H3N2) (13%).
The number of flu cases will rise steadily and is expected to reach its peak in late February, he said. There were 17 institutional outbreaks last week and the figure may reach a peak of 50.
The consultation rate of flu-like illness in private clinics, public outpatient clinics and hospital admissions may also grow, he said, adding some deaths are also possible.
He urged the public to bolster precautions against the illness by paying special attention to personal hygiene and high-risk groups to receive vaccines as soon as possible.
“The Government is providing free influenza vaccinations to certain target groups in public clinics and hospitals. At the same time, we have an influenza vaccination subsidy scheme together with private doctors, offering influenza vaccination to elderly people as well as young children. We hope through these vaccination schemes we can reduce complications and hospitalisations due to influenza.”
The Government will also enhance health education to remind people to take precaution measures against the illness.
