{
  "id": 675308,
  "title": "Summer severe paediatric flu infections reaches nine",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/summer-severe-paediatric-flu-infections-reaches-nine-675308",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-12T14:12:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RTHK News",
    "slug": "rthk-news",
    "url": "https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1865939-20260812.htm"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) has announced a further severe case of paediatric influenza A, bringing the summer flu season total to nine. The newest patient is a 17-month-old girl with no major pre-existing health issues. She experienced a fever and cough on Sunday, which deteriorated into shortness of breath the following day. The toddler was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and diagnosed with influenza A, severe pneumonia, and septic shock. She is currently in a critical state.\n\nNine severe paediatric flu infections have been reported since late June. One case has resulted in death, three patients have been discharged, and the remaining cases continue to be hospitalized. Surveillance data indicates that flu transmission levels remain high in the community. CHP controller Edwin Tsui stated that as the number of infections is anticipated to rise, the count of severe cases will also likely increase.\n\nTypically, the current influenza season mirrors previous seasons, primarily impacting the elderly and children. Tsui emphasized the need for parents to remain vigilant, as children's health can deteriorate swiftly upon influenza infection. He advised parents to closely monitor their children for symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, blue lips, chest pain, confusion, persistent fever, or convulsions, urging them to seek immediate medical attention if such signs arise.",
  "summary": "The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) reported another severe paediatric case of influenza A on Wednesday, taking the number of such cases in the summer flu season to nine. The latest patient is a 17-month-old girl with no significant underlying health conditions. She had not received a flu jab recently. The toddler developed a fever and cough on Sunday, and her condition worsened the following…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "RTHK English",
        "title": "Summer severe paediatric flu infections reaches nine",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/summer-severe-paediatric-flu-infections-reaches-nine",
        "published": "2026-08-12T14:12:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}