UpdateAlarming surge of flu cases complicates Hong Kong's efforts to ensure against Mers outbreak

An alarming surge in the number of influenza cases this summer is threatening to complicate efforts to stop a possible outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome (Mers) in the city.

Last week, nearly 500 samples from patients with respiratory symptoms tested positive for flu in Centre for Health Protection laboratory checks. That represented 14.8 per cent of samples tested, up from about 9 per cent the previous week.

What lies ahead could be a resurgence of the winter peak flu season, which lasted from January to April and killed 496 people, compared with 133 deaths the previous winter.

A specialist in respiratory medicine warned yesterday of an overlapping of flu and suspected Mers cases as the symptoms, such as fever and cough, were outwardly similar.

"When all those people who developed flu-like symptoms and had a history of visiting South Korea and the Middle East in the past 14 days are classified as suspected cases of Mers, the government should be prepared to receive a large number of suspected cases," said Dr Leung Chi-chiu. The centre reported 34 new suspected Mers cases by noon yesterday, but 33 tested negative with one result pending.

READ MORE: South Korean woman becomes 14th patient to die from Mers as new infections surface

South Korea reported 12 new cases today, with 14 deaths. Authorities there sealed off two hospitals that treated people with the disease. At least 133 people - patients and staff - will remain inside for the next 11 days, given the incubation period of the virus.