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 and emergency ward of Eastern Hospital two nights later. There she suffered a cardiac arrest and, following resuscitation, was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit. The girl later tested positive for the influenza A(H1) virus. Complicated with septic shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and multiple organ failure, she passed away on October 20. The CHP confirmed that the girl did not travel outside Hong Kong during the incubation period and had not recently received the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination (SIV). A household contact had also developed mild upper respiratory tract symptoms, but did not require hospitalisation. The case has been referred to the Coroner's Court. CHP controller Edwin Tsui said that Hong Kong has recorded 25 severe paediatric infections since the current flu season began in late June. Two passed away – including the girl – while three remained in hospital in either serious or critical...