Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection (CHP) reported on August 18, 2026, a severe paediatric influenza A infection in a 16-year-old girl with underlying illnesses. She developed a fever on August 15 and was taken to Tseung Kwan O Hospital with shortness of breath, then transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit at United Christian Hospital for respiratory distress and low blood pressure. Her specimen tested positive for influenza A (H3); the clinical diagnosis was influenza A complicated by severe pneumonia and septic shock, and she was in critical condition. The CHP's preliminary investigation found no travel history during the incubation period, and household contacts remained asymptomatic.

The CHP said that since Hong Kong entered its influenza season in late June, a cumulative total of 10 severe paediatric influenza cases had been recorded, including one fatal case. Four patients had recovered and been discharged, three were stable and two remained critical, including this case. The Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said influenza activity was expected to remain high in the coming weeks, with severe cases expected to rise, and described the season as broadly comparable to previous ones, mainly affecting the elderly and children. He said genetic analyses found the predominant strains similar to those circulating elsewhere, with no evidence so far of more severe illness or antiviral resistance.

Tsui said procurement for the 2026/27 Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programmes was complete and arrangements were being prepared. The school outreach programme would introduce an electronic consent form, with school-specific QR codes already distributed to participating schools.