Hong Kong's health officials are bracing for a potential spike in flu cases, especially as many residents are expected to return from holiday travels to regions grappling with H1N1 outbreaks. According to Professor David Hui Shu-cheong, of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, January could see the flu season peak as travelers come back to the city.
Despite the current overall influenza activity remaining low, Professor Hui indicates troubling trends. The positivity rate for influenza tests rose from 1.09 percent during the week of December 8 to 1.35 percent by December 15. This increasing percentage of positive results raises the alarm about rising flu activity on the horizon.
“It’s very likely local flu activity will continue to rise,” Hui cautioned during a recent television interview. His concerns are founded on the significant number of residents who have traveled to areas currently facing H1N1 outbreaks, including Japan, mainland China, South Korea, and Taiwan.
Hui elaborated, “Many residents have also recently gone to Japan, mainland China, Taiwan, and Singapore, which are having an outbreak of H1N1. South Korea is seeing co-circulation of H1N1 and H3N2, and it’s possible for holidaymakers to bring the virus back home as they return.” He predicts Hong Kong could soon reach the baseline threshold for flu activity—4.94 percent—within just weeks.
According to Hui, this year’s flu season will primarily be driven by H1N1, and if the predominant strain shifts, it could extend the peak period. He emphasized the importance of early vaccinations, particularly for children and elderly residents. “If you look at children aged 2 to 5 years old who contract the virus and do not receive vaccinations, they are 6.4 times more likely to suffer from severe complications and death compared to those who are vaccinated,” he stated.
Parents, he urged, should prioritize vaccinations for their children, especially during this vulnerable time as they return from holiday festivities where exposure risks could have increased significantly.
While concerns over flu grow, Hui notes the current increase in Covid-19 infection rates remains slight. He reassures the public by stating, “With many people either previously infected or vaccinated, the likelihood of a major outbreak from Covid-19 in the short term is expected to be low.”
Despite this comparatively lower concern of Covid-19, the combination of extensive travel and flu season still poses health risks. Healthcare facilities throughout the region, both public and private, have noticed rising numbers of patients presenting flu-like symptoms, which adds to the urgency for community vigilance.
Local health authorities are gearing up for what many believe will be another challenging flu season. Enhanced outreach for vaccinations, especially targeting high-risk groups, is reportedly underway.
Hui’s predictions, coupled with the current healthcare data, point to mid-January as the likely peak period of influenza, urging the community to stay informed and proactive. Given the interconnections of local and international travel, the importance of vaccination, vigilant monitoring of symptoms, and public health messaging during this flu season has never been more significant.
Residents are reminded to check with health authorities for updates on vaccination availability and flu activity levels. Australia’s previous flu seasons serve as reminders of how linked global travel is with local health outcomes, solidifying the need for responsibility and awareness as Hong Kong anticipates potentially heightened flu cases.