Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection (CHP) recorded a severe paediatric influenza infection case on September 14, 2026. It involved a 17-year-old boy in good past health who developed fever, cough, chills, headache, myalgia and malaise on September 11. The next day he was brought to Queen Elizabeth Hospital's accident and emergency department and admitted to its intensive care unit. His respiratory specimen tested positive for influenza A virus, and his clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with septic shock. The CHP said he remained hospitalised but his condition had stabilised after treatment. Preliminary investigation found no travel history during the incubation period, and his household contact was asymptomatic; the CHP was continuing to investigate.

Hong Kong entered the influenza season in late June. The CHP said surveillance data showed activity increased further the previous week and remained high. Since the end of June, 20 severe paediatric influenza cases had been recorded: 11 patients recovered and were discharged, four were stable, two serious, two critical and one had died. The CHP anticipated high activity in coming weeks and more school outbreaks with the new school year.

The 2026/27 Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programmes, including the school outreach programme, were scheduled to start on September 17. A new electronic consent form via eHealth was introduced. About 80 schools had scheduled outreach activities in September, and outreach was expected to be completed by mid-December, about two weeks earlier than last year.