Health authorities in Hong Kong are urging residents to get vaccinated against seasonal influenza after recording a significant increase in flu cases, including that of a 13-year-old girl who died on Sunday.

The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health said the girl’s death due to a severe paediatric influenza B infection was the first fatal case of paediatric influenza in the special administrative region since June last year.

“Hong Kong is currently in the summer influenza season and there has been a significant increase in influenza-like illness outbreaks in schools since September,” Controller of the CHP Edwin Tsui Lok-kin said.

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The girl had developed a fever, a cough, sore throat and running nose since October 5. Her symptoms persisted and she collapsed at home on October 9.

She was immediately sent to the Accident and Emergency Department of Prince of Wales Hospital, and was transferred to the Hong Kong Children's Hospital on the same day.

The clinical diagnosis was influenza B infection complicated with encephalopathy, myocarditis and shock. He condition deteriorated on Sunday and she passed away.

As of October 10, 337 outbreaks have been reported in schools since the start of the school year in September, including 35 cases in kindergartens/child care centers, 182 cases in primary schools and 120 cases in secondary schools, Tsui said. 

“Including the above case, nine severe and one fatal paediatric influenza cases involving children aged 3 to 17 have been recorded since the start of the school year. Eight of them had good past health," he added.

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The CHP reiterated its appeal to schools and parents to arrange for schoolchildren to receive free seasonal influenza vaccination to reduce the risk of serious illness or death from flu infection.

"Seasonal influenza activity is also rising in neighboring regions beyond Hong Kong. Japan has declared the onset of its influenza season, which is earlier than last year,” Tsui said.

As influenza viruses constantly mutate, individuals who had their jabs last season should still get the latest vaccine to ensure protection against the current strain of influenza, he added.

Tsui reminded the public that, if they develop a fever and respiratory symptoms, especially among children, the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions, they should immediately seek medical attention. He added that high-risk individuals should also wear surgical masks when staying in crowded places.