By South China Morning Post | Created at 2025-01-21 01:21:33 | Updated at 2025-01-21 04:17:33
3 hours ago
An unvaccinated Hong Kong teenage girl with underlying health issues is in critical condition after contracting the flu, authorities have said.
The Centre for Health Protection said the 14-year-old special boarding school pupil suffered fever and discomfort on January 8. Two days later, she visited a private doctor.
The girl started experiencing difficulty speaking a week later and was admitted to Caritas Medical Centre in Cheung Sha Wan on January 17.
She then was transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit of Princess Margaret Hospital after her condition worsened on Sunday.
The centre said she tested positive for influenza A (H1), with her infection being complicated by brain encephalopathy.
Initial investigations showed that the girl, who has underlying illnesses and did not travel during the incubation period, had not received the seasonal flu vaccination this season.
