Hong Kong may enter its summer flu season earlier than usual this year, with a peak likely in late June or July, health authorities said, urging unvaccinated residents to get jabs.
Dr Edwin Tsui Lok-kin, controller of the Centre for Health Protection, said on Tuesday that influenza activity in the city had increased since May. He noted that the last flu season extended from September to January, and with no winter flu season earlier this year, this summer’s flu season could arrive sooner.
“Looking at the trend that started in May, we cannot rule out the possibility that the peak might occur in late June or July,” he told a radio programme.
In Hong Kong, the summer flu season typically occurs between July and August, while the winter flu season usually occurs in the first quarter of each year, according to Tsui. He said the absence of the winter flu season this year could also result in increased severity of cases during the summer.