Hong Kong winter flu season could start in December and peak twice, expert says

Hong Kong’s winter flu season may start as early as December and have twin peaks driven by different strains, similar to what happened during the previous one earlier this year, a top infectious disease expert has warned.

Ivan Hung Fan-ngai, chair professor of infectious diseases at the University of Hong Kong, said on Saturday that flu activity levels remained low for now but could go up in about two months’ time.

“I believe that we are likely to enter the flu season around December,” he told a radio programme. “The winter outbreak is likely to be similar to the [previous one] with double peaks.”

He said the first peak of the coming flu season could be driven by influenza A subtype H3, while the second was likely to be caused by the H1 strain.

Hong Kong recorded its longest flu season from January to July of this year, with a double peak also occurring due to the H3 and H1 strains.

Outbreaks of flu-like illness at schools peaked in May when the city recorded more than 50 cases in a week, but the number gradually declined in the following months.

According to the latest data from the Centre for Health Protection, only three outbreaks were reported between September 29 and October 5.