Hong Kong enters 'winter flu season'

141 people have been reported to be affected.

According to the Centre for Health Protection, the public must stay vigilant against seasonal influenza as the latest surveillance data shows there has been an increase in local flu activity, signaling that Hong Kong is entering the winter influenza season.

The number of influenza-like illness outbreaks at institutions and schools increased from zero in the week ending January 5 to eight in the week ending February 2, affecting 141 people.

The weekly consultation rates among general outpatient clinics increased from 1.9 in the week ending January 5 to 4.9 in the week ending January 26.

The corresponding rates among private doctors increased from 34.2 in the week ending January 5 to 43.6 in the week ending January 26.

The weekly average rate for the syndrome group under Accident & Emergency Departments Communicable Diseases Syndromic Surveillance also increased from 161.2 in the week ending January 5 to 182.9 in the week ending February 2.

The circulating influenza viruses detected are mainly influenza A (H1N1)2009 (54.9%), and influenza A (H3N2) (42.1%), followed by influenza B (3%).

Since January 18, there have been five reports, including two deaths, of patients with influenza infection who required intensive care admission or who died, and two cases of severe paediatric influenza-associated complications or deaths.

The centre will closely monitor overseas and local influenza activities as Hong Kong is entering the winter influenza season.