The influenza outbreak continues to pose significant health challenges for Hong Kong as officials report the latest statistics showing high levels of flu activity. According to Dr. Xu Lejian, the Director of the Centre for Health Protection, data from the last week indicates a respiratory sample positivity rate for influenza of 7.14%. This translates to around 0.43 hospitalizations per 10,000 residents attributed to the virus. Although these numbers suggest slight decreases compared to previous weeks, overall flu activity remains persistently high, leading to warnings about the continuation of the flu season until at least March.
Dr. Xu emphasized the decidedly active nature of the flu season during his appearance on February 28, 2025, pointing out recent trends where 23 outbreaks affecting 117 individuals have been identified. Of these cases, 13 occurred within school settings, highlighting the increased risk of contagion among younger populations returning from the Lunar New Year break. This figure reflects an uptick over the 12 and 17 outbreaks recorded during the prior weeks, indicating how quickly flu can spread once it gains traction in high-density environments.
The health chief underscored the need for vigilance, noting, "Just one spark can cause widespread outbreaks, especially among vulnerable populations like the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions." A significant concern remains the sector of the population failing to receive flu vaccinations, with Dr. Xu noting startling figures: "Around 70% of severe cases had not been vaccinated, which alarmingly reflects the continual threat of influenza." He reiterated the importance of vaccination as many of the recorded deaths—257 as of late February—have occurred among individuals with chronic health issues.
The current influenza situation is paralleled globally, with flu activity remaining high across the Northern Hemisphere, especially noted in North America, Europe, Japan, and South Korea. Variants of the influenza virus, particularly Type A, are still prevalent, and any genetic shifts could impact the severity and distribution of the virus locally. Dr. Xu stated, "It is imperative to observe any changes among circulating virus strains closely, as this could influence the flu trend and substantially change the duration of the flu season here."
Reports show the public health authorities are continuing to monitor the situation closely. Since the flu season began, there have been 399 severe cases reported among adults, with nearly 257 fatalities attributed to complications from the virus. Approximately 75% of those who died had chronic illnesses, which increases the stakes for public health interventions. Among children, there have been 9 severe cases reported, 7 of which involved children who had not received their vaccinations.
The current predicament emphasizes the importance of public health education and actions to help manage the outbreak. Local health authorities are urging community members to get vaccinated and remain attentive to hygiene practices as they navigate through this active flu season, which many recognize as particularly severe.
With calls for the public to continue practicing caution, Dr. Xu underscored the correlation between health measures and flu transmission rates, warning, "These places once ignited can lead to massive outbreaks. Therefore, it's necessary to stay vigilant. Schools and nursing facilities, particularly, need to be closely monitored."
The Hong Kong populace is reminded to keep abreast of health updates and to participate actively in vaccination campaigns to curb the momentum of influenza as the flu season progresses. After all, the collective effort could mean the difference between safety and widespread illness.