Key facts
- Hong Kong is experiencing a rise in seasonal influenza cases.
- Children and the elderly are particularly affected.
- Waning vaccine protection is weakening community immunity.
- Professor Ivan Hung Fan-ngai warned of the rising cases.
- High-risk groups are urged to get vaccinated.
Hong Kong is experiencing a rise in seasonal influenza cases, with children and the elderly being particularly affected. Professor Ivan Hung Fan-ngai, chair professor of infectious diseases at the University of Hong Kong, warned that waning vaccine protection is weakening community immunity. He issued the warning on Saturday and urged high-risk groups who have not yet received a seasonal flu jab to get vaccinated. Health authorities had previously reported an increase in influenza B cases.