Month: February 2026

CHP urges public to promptly receive seasonal influenza vaccination as severe paediatric influenza infection case reported 
　　The case involves a 15-year-old boy with underlying diseases. On February 12, he developed a fever. He was sent to the Accident and Emergency Department of Caritas Medical Centre the following day (February 13) due to persistent fever and was admitted on the same day. He subsequently developed desaturation and shock, and was transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit of Princess Margaret Hospital for further treatment today because of worsening conditions. His respiratory specimen tested positive for influenza A virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis is influenza A infection complicated with pneumonia and heart failure. He is currently in serious condition.
 
     A preliminary investigation revealed that the boy has not yet received the 2025/26 SIV. He is a resident of a special school. A recent influenza outbreak was recorded in his school dormitory. The CHP staff has conducted site visit and advised the school to strengthen a series of infection control measures. Chemoprophylaxis against influenza was given to unaffected students and staff. The boy’s family members are asymptomatic. The CHP’s investigation is ongoing.
 
　　So far this year, five severe paediatric influenza cases have been recorded, involving children aged between 6 months and 15 years old. Three of the affected children had not received an SIV, including one case who received the 2025/26 SIV only three days before the onset of illness. As the patient was not protected by the vaccine, the case is not counted as being vaccinated. During the summer influenza season ending in early January, 25 severe paediatric influenza cases were recorded, including three fatal cases and involving children aged between 6 months to 17 years old. Among them, 20 cases (80 per cent) had not received an SIV (including one case who received the 2025/26 SIV only four days before the onset of illness).

     ​”Although the influenza activity in Hong Kong is currently at a low, influenza activity still remains at a relatively high level in many popular travel destinations for Hong Kong citizens, such as some areas in North America and Europe. Moreover, the overall influenza activity has increased again in Korea and Japan recently, with the major circulating virus strain having changed from the earlier influenza A (H3) to influenza B. With the increase in cross-border travel and the number of incoming visitors in the Chinese New Year, the risk of influenza transmission will also increase. Moreover, based on past experience, Hong Kong’s winter influenza season typically occurs in the first quarter. With the persistent cold weather and the possibility of a change in circulating virus strains, it cannot be ruled out that the influenza activity will increase again later. Receiving SIV is still one of the most effective ways to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications. Vaccination also reduces the risk of hospitalisation and death from infection. The public should receive vaccination as soon as possible regardless of staying locally or planning to travel abroad, as it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body for sufficient protection against the influenza virus. All individuals aged 6 months or older, except those with known contraindications, should act promptly if they have not yet received an SIV, including those who contracted influenza in the past few months, in order to safeguard personal health,” the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.
 
     “Recently, outbreaks of influenza continue to occur in schools. For children who did not join the SIV School Outreach Programme, parents should promptly bring their children to private doctors      
     He also reminded members of the public that, especially for children, the elderly and those with underlying illnesses, they should seek medical advice promptly for early treatment if they present with fever and respiratory symptoms. As children with influenza can deteriorate rapidly, parents must pay close attention to their children’s condition. They should go to an Accident and Emergency Department immediately if the child’s condition deteriorates, for example, if they develop symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, blue lips, chest pain, confusion, a persistent fever or convulsions.Issued at HKT 20:34

Principal Officials of HKSAR Government continue year-end household visits across 18 districts  
     Accompanied by the District Officer (Southern), Ms Sandy Cheung, the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, together with District Council (DC) members and representatives from the District Services and Community Care Team (Care Team) of Southern District, visited an elderly doubleton and an intergenerational household living in South Horizons to understand their daily lives and present them with Chinese New Year blessing bags.
 
     Accompanied by the District Officer (Tuen Mun), Mr Michael Kwan, the Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho, together with a DC member and Care Team members of Tuen Mun District, visited a grassroots family, an ethnic minority household and an elderly singleton living in Sam Shing Estate to chat with them and express care.
 
     Accompanied by the District Officer (Kwai Tsing), Mr Edric Leung, the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, together with a DC member and representatives from the Care Team of Kwai Tsing District, visited a middle-class household and elderly doubletons living in Cheung On Estate to learn about their daily lives and extend seasonal greetings.
 
     In addition, accompanied by the District Officer (Yuen Long), Mr Kelvin Ma, the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, together with DC members and representatives from the Care Team of Yuen Long District, visited a family with youths studying in school and an elderly couple living in Tin Yiu Estate. Accompanied by the District Officer (Wong Tai Sin), Mr Thomas Wu, the Acting Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Ho Kai-ming, together with DC members and representatives from the Care Team of Wong Tai Sin District, visited a young family and a doubleton elderly household living in Upper Wong Tai Sin Estate.
 
     The POs of the HKSAR Government will continue to visit different families tomorrow (February 16) to jointly welcome the Chinese New Year with the community.
Issued at HKT 18:00

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February 2026 issue of “Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics” now available      
     Apart from providing up-to-date statistics, this issue also contains a feature article entitled “Trends of Infant Mortality in Hong Kong, 1951 to 2024”. Statistics presented in the “Trends of Infant Mortality in Hong Kong, 1951 to 2024” article are based on the data source from the Health Statistics Division, Department of Health.
      
“Trends of Infant Mortality in Hong Kong, 1951 to 2024”
      
     Infant mortality refers to death of those aged below 1 year old. Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) is the number of registered infant deaths in a year per 1 000 registered live births in that year. IMR is a useful indicator of the health status not only of infants, but also of the whole population and of the socio-economic conditions under which they live.
      
     This feature article describes the trends of infant mortality in Hong Kong from 1951 to 2024 and analyses the infant mortality by sex and by major causes of deaths.
      
     For enquiries about this feature article, please contact the Health Statistics Division, Department of Health (Tel: 3586 2996; email: enquiries@dh.gov.hk      
     Published in bilingual form, the HKMDS is a compact volume of official statistics containing about 130 tables. It collects up-to-date statistical series on various aspects of the social and economic situation of Hong Kong. Topics include population; labour; external trade; National Income and Balance of Payments; prices; business performance; energy; housing and property; government accounts, finance and insurance; and transport, communications and tourism. For selected key statistical items, over 20 charts depicting the annual trend in the past decade and quarterly or monthly trend in the recent two years are also available. Users can download the Digest at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1010002&scode=460      
     Enquiries about the contents of the Digest can be directed to the Statistical Information Dissemination Section (1) of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4738; email: gen-enquiry@censtatd.gov.hkIssued at HKT 16:00