Hong Kong flu cases to spike as students, residents return from holiday: expert

Hong Kong can expect a spike in flu cases as students and residents return from holiday, a government health expert has warned, adding that the influenza season may last until April.

Dr Edwin Tsui Lok-kin, controller of the Centre for Health Protection, issued the warning on Wednesday following a surge in vaccine inquiries and bookings, after Taiwanese actress Barbie “Big S” Hsu Shi-yuan died from flu-triggered pneumonia in Japan.

Tsui said flu seasons in Hong Kong typically lasted two to four months, with this year’s beginning on January 9.

“Many Hongkongers travel abroad. So after they have returned from their trips, there are usually more outbreaks in schools … outbreaks often occur in workplaces as well,” he told a radio programme.

“We expect that children should start returning to school next week. In schools and workplaces, we anticipate that the transmission will be severe.”

Last year’s flu season lasted 28 weeks due to a shift from the influenza A H3 strain to the H1 type.

Tsui said most flu cases detected were still H1, accounting for around 90 per cent, and there were no major changes in the dominant strain this winter for now.