12yo girl becomes 2nd paediatric flu death this summer
Health authorities on Wednesday once again called on vulnerable groups to get vaccinated, after announcing that a 12-year-old girl had become the second paediatric death of the summer flu season. The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) said the girl, who had underlying health conditions, developed a fever, cough and diarrhoea on October 17. Her condition worsened, and she was taken to the accident…
Health officials cautioned vulnerable groups to get vaccinated after a 12-year-old girl became the second paediatric flu death of the summer season in Hong Kong. The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) reported that the girl, with underlying health conditions, fell ill on October 17 with fever, cough and diarrhoea. Her condition deteriorated, leading to a cardiac arrest at Eastern Hospital's A&E two nights later.
After resuscitation, she was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit, where she later tested positive for the influenza A(H1) virus. Complications included septic shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and multiple organ failure, resulting in her death on October 20. The girl had not traveled outside Hong Kong during the incubation period and had not received the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination (SIV).
A household contact also exhibited mild upper respiratory tract symptoms but did not require hospitalization. The case will be referred to the Coroner's Court. CHP controller Edwin Tsui urged the public not to underestimate the flu and to take preventive measures, including early SIV administration, to build community immunity and reduce severe illness and death risks.
Tsui noted that Hong Kong has recorded 25 severe paediatric infections this flu season, with two fatalities, including the girl, and three remaining in critical condition.
Written by urgent.news from RTHK English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
