The influenza season in Hong Kong usually lasts for eight to 12 weeks, says the HKSAR government. (PHOTO / LEGCO, HKSAR)

HONG KONG – Hong Kong’s health authorities have urged all sectors of the community to heighten their vigilance and enhance personal protection measures with the city entering the winter influenza season.

According to surveillance data, local seasonal influenza activity has continued to increase and exceeded the baseline thresholds, indicating that the special administrative region has entered the winter influenza season, the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health said in a statement on Thursday.

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The percentage of respiratory specimens that tested positive for seasonal influenza viruses reached 11.77 percent during the week ending Jan 6. The influenza admission rate in public hospitals also increased to 0.68 cases per 10,000 people last week, according to the statement.

The number of reported influenza-like illness outbreaks started to increase after the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Centre for Health Protection, HKSAR

Both figures exceeded the baseline thresholds, said the CHP.

“The number of reported influenza-like illness outbreaks started to increase after the Christmas and New Year holidays,” it said, adding that 11 relevant institutional outbreaks were reported to the CHP in the week ending Jan 6.

The center has written to schools urging them to take additional measures to lower transmission of influenza in schools, including actively checking the body temperature of all students every day when they arrive at school to identify those with fever.

Letters will also be sent to doctors, hospitals and institutions calling for heightened vigilance and appropriate actions to fight against influenza together, it added.

The center reminded the public – especially the higher-risk groups such as the elderly and children – to get vaccinated for the influenza season. 

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It also urged people with respiratory symptoms, even if mild, to wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending classes at school, and seek medical advice promptly to lower the risk of transmission.

Pointing out that the influenza season in Hong Kong usually lasts for eight to 12 weeks, a CHP spokesman said that based on previous surveillance data, after entering the influenza season, the virus activity will continue to rise for a period of time before reaching its peak.