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Emily Tsang

Hong Kong woke up to a cool winter morning on Tuesday as the temperature in many areas plunged to around 15 degrees, but don’t put away your warmer clothing yet as the chill on the Chinese solar calendar “Heavy Snow” day is not expected to last long.
Local meteorologists expect the mercury to inch upwards again on Tuesday to 17 to 19 degrees, followed by a toastier week.
The unusual warm winter this year meant that the peak season this winter for influenza could be delayed, as the number of flu cases detected by health authorities last week continued to remain at a low level.
READ MORE: Hong Kong temperatures to plunge then soar in a volatile week
But with the memory of a high death toll from last winter’s seasonal influenza still fresh on many minds, we asked the health authorities and experts five vital questions to cope with flu season:
 

1. Will the influenza virus be as deadly as last winter?
It is still too early to tell. Last winter, the flu season kicked in around December and peaked in early January this year, ending only in April. The city experienced a particularly severe flu death toll during the four months, as a total of 496 people died, compared to 133 deaths during the outbreak the previous winter.
But flu activities remained at a low level so far this winter. Dr Owen Tsang Tak-yin, a member of the Hong Kong Society for Infectious Diseases believed there is likely to be a delay in the winter peak, possibly due to the warmer temperatures.
Usually the flu virus is more active when the weather is very hot or very cold, according to previous medical studies. The virus cannot survive when the temperature falls between 22 and 27 degrees Celsius. In contrast, cold weather below 22 degrees Celsius, or humidity level exceeding 70 per cent can also help it spread.
 

2. What is the best way to guard against getting the flu?
The Department of Health believed getting the seasonal influenza vaccine is still the most effective way to prevent an infection and its complications, especially among vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children.
Last winter’s high death toll was in part attributed to a mismatch of vaccines as the World Health Organisation wrongly predicted the virus’ dominant strain. Most of those infected by the flu virus this year were found with H1 and H3, but there was no evidence to show that the flu vaccine this year would be unable to protect against the dominant flu strain.
The effective protection rate of the flu vaccine this year was believed to be around 60 to 80 per cent – an improvement from last year.
The government bought 400,000 doses for its annual vaccination scheme this year, which started on October 15. For the first time, the scheme offered free jabs to all people aged 65 or older. About two weeks after vaccination, the body develops a sufficient level of antibodies to protect against infection by the flu virus, remaining effective for around six months.
 

3. What other precautions exist other than getting a jab?
Everyone is reminded to maintain personal and environmental hygiene at all times.
Influenza viruses mainly spread through droplets when infected people cough, sneeze or talk. The infection can also spread by direct contact with the secretions of infected persons. So washing hands frequently with liquid soap and water or cleaning them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub is the best way to kill germs on the hands.
READ MORE: Hong Kong’s first ‘flu forecasts’ to predict timing and scale of outbreaks just like the weather, HKU scientists say
Indoors, good ventilation should be maintained, and public installations that are frequently touched, such as the handrails or door knobs, should be regularly cleaned.
It is always wise to stay healthy by maintaining a balanced diet, exercising regularly, taking adequate rest, and avoiding smoking and too much stress.
 

4. What’s the best way to stay clear of the flu if travelling aboard to countries hit by an outbreak?
When influenza is prevalent, you should avoid going to crowded or poorly ventilated public places.
In any event, high-risk individuals might consider putting on surgical masks when staying in crowded or poorly ventilated public places. Bring a bottle of alcohol-based handrub with and clean one’s hands regularly, especially before touching the nose and mouth.
 

5. If infected by the flu virus, what steps are best to take to recover as soon as possible?
For healthy individuals, seasonal influenza is usually self-limiting with recovery coming in two to seven days with adequate rest and after drinking plenty of water. Antiviral agents may reduce severity and duration of illness but must be used under a doctor’s prescription. But note that antibiotics, which target bacterial infections as opposed to viral infections, do not cure influenza or speed recovery.
(Source: Department of Health)


Five things you need to know about flu season in Hong Kong this year

In any event, high-risk individuals might consider putting on surgical masks when staying in crowded or poorly ventilated public places. Photo: May Tse

A kid with mask on walks to school outside Hong Kong Ling Liang Church and Kindergarten in Causeway Bay. 04FEB15

No Caption Available.

With cold weather arriving after a prolonged warm spell, the flu is expected to peak later than usual. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Usually the flu virus is more active when the weather is very hot or very cold, according to previous medical studies. Photo: May Tse

Getting seasonal influenza vaccine is still the most effective way to prevent an infection. Photo: SCMP

Washing hands frequently with liquid soap and water or cleaning them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub is the best way to kill germs on the hands. Photo: May Tse

Avoiding going to crowded or poorly ventilated public places. Photo: David Wong

Adequate rest and drinking plenty of water when you are sick. Photo: Edward Wong

Hong Kong's first 'flu forecasts' to predict timing and scale of outbreaks just like the weather, HKU scientists say

Hong Kong will soon be able to predict the timing and intensity of a flu outbreak as accurately as the weather. Photo: May Tse

Flu deaths in Hong Kong top 300 as experts urge back-to-school vigilance 

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Health authorities offer advice after temperatures plunged to 15 degrees


Five things you need to know about flu season in Hong Kong this year

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Health authorities offer advice after temperatures plunged to 15 degrees

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}.css-jfmysa{display:inline;word-break:break-word;}.css-1ankfgb{cursor:pointer;display:inline;word-break:break-word;}READ MORE: Hong Kong temperatures to plunge then soar in a volatile week

Health authorities offer advice after temperatures plunged to 15 degrees

READ MORE: Hong Kong temperatures to plunge then soar in a volatile week