Public health warning on flu complications

The Ministry of Health has taken the dramatic step of issuing a public health warning on continued outbreaks of influenza.

The current rate of flu infections is higher than at the same time last year, with influenza B viruses most dominant.

Director of Public Health, Dr Mark Jacobs says parents with school-aged children should watch out for complications.

He says they should take particular note if their child is not getting any better or develops breathing problems.

Dr Jacobs says that is a sign they are developing complications and should seek treatment.

He admits this year's flu jab has proved useless in protecting against the dominant flu strain.

Dr Jacobs says the vaccine can only include three strains of the virus, and health officials could not have foreseen influenza B Hong Kong being so prevalent.

He says the strains are chosen using an educated guess of the most likely strains to be circulating.

- NEWSTALK ZB