A three-year-old is now in serious condition after he was diagnosed with influenza B infection complicated with pneumonia, the Centre for Health Protection said.
The boy had good health in the past and developed a fever, runny nose and cough last Saturday.
He sought medical attention at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital on Monday and was admitted for treatment the same day. He was transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit due to shortness of breath and oxygen desaturation on Thursday.
His respiratory specimen was positive for the influenza B virus upon laboratory testing and the clinical diagnosis was confirmed to be influenza B infection complicated with pneumonia.
Preliminary investigation by the CHP revealed that the patient had not received the seasonal influenza vaccination and had no travel history during the incubation period. Two of his home contacts are currently symptomatic.
“Persons at higher risk of getting influenza and its complications, including the elderly and children, should receive the seasonal influenza vaccination early,” a spokesman said.
“As it takes about two weeks to develop antibodies, members of the public are advised to receive vaccination early for protection against seasonal influenza.”
