Prof. Ivan Hung said HK has entered winter influenza peak season

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Professor Ivan Hung, Chair Professor at the University of Hong Kong's Faculty of Medicine, said the city has entered the winter influenza peak season, primarily dominated by the H3N2 K-subclade of influenza A. 

Due to a lack of antigens in the community and the colder weather, he predicts this will continue until after the Lunar New Year.

Entering the new year, Hong Kong's temperature has plummeted, and the virus has become more active.

According to data from the Centre for Health Protection, the influenza infection rate peaked in October last year, then declined significantly, but rebounded again in mid-November.

Last month, the influenza positive rate reached 6% to 7%.

Professor Ivan Hung pointed out that Hong Kong has entered the peak season for winter influenza.

He said the summer and winter influenza peaks are not as clearly separated as before.

He said: “First, the cold weather is suitable for influenza virus reproduction. Second, people are in close contact at school. If there is a minor outbreak at a school, infected students will bring the virus home, increasing the chances of infection for adults and the elderly at home.

It is believed that the outbreak will continue until after the Lunar New Year, until the weather gets warmer up in March. With overall community immunity reaching a sufficiently high level, the winter influenza peak will gradually decline.”