Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection (CHP) recorded a severe paediatric influenza infection case on October 3, involving a nine-year-old girl with underlying illnesses. She developed a fever on September 30, then a cough and vomiting on October 1, and was taken to a private clinic before being referred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital's accident and emergency department. She was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit, where she remains in critical condition. Her respiratory specimen tested positive for influenza B virus, and her clinical diagnosis was influenza B infection complicated with septic shock and severe pneumonia.

The CHP's preliminary investigation found the girl had no travel history during the incubation period and had not received the 2026/27 Seasonal Influenza Vaccination. Two household contacts recently developed mild fever and upper respiratory symptoms but have recovered. Hong Kong entered its influenza season in late June, and surveillance data shows activity remains high. Since the end of June, 21 severe paediatric influenza cases have been recorded: 16 patients discharged after recovery, two stable, two critical and one death.

The CHP expects influenza activity to stay high in coming weeks, with school outbreaks likely to increase. The 2026/27 vaccination programmes, including the school outreach programme, began on September 17 and introduced an electronic consent form via eHealth. About 100 schools have organised outreach activities, and these are expected to be completed by mid-December, roughly two weeks earlier than last year.