Hong Kong’s seasonal flu has killed more than SARS in 2003

It’s officially time to panic, move your kids out of Hong Kong if you’re rich enough, stop holding escalator handrails and work a face mask into every outfit.

Hong Kong’s seasonal flu has now killed more people than the 2003 SARs outbreak!

As of noon yesterday, the seasonal flu death toll stood at 307, compared to the 299 who succumbed to SARS in the territory.

A further 415 adults and 17 children have been admitted to intensive care with seasonal flu since the start of the year.

Although it appears the cases of flu are decreasing in Hong Kong, Ko Wing-man, the secretary for food and health, warned that the figures may be misleading.

Many people simply don’t visit the doctor during the Chinese New Year holidays, he explained, adding it will take another week or two to be sure whether or not the outbreak is subsiding.

Hongkongers are reminded to stay vigilant, maintain high personal and environmental hygiene levels and get vaccinated as soon as possible.

For your information though, the actual correct vaccine will not be available until April.

 
 


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