Uncertain forecast: Centre for Health Protection Controller Dr Thomas Tsang says it is difficult to predict when the peak flu season will end.

Centre for Health Protection Controller Dr Thomas Tsang urges people to maintain vigilance as Hong Kong has entered the peak flu season, adding it is difficult to predict when the season will end.

Speaking on a radio talk show this morning, Dr Tsang said the centre received 13 new reports of institutional outbreaks of flu-like illness yesterday, affecting 86 people. Of the 13 reports, one has been confirmed as a flu outbreak.

Dr Tsang said the centre and the Hospital Authority launched a flu-vaccination programme in November and more than 270,000 vaccines have been given to vulnerable groups. About 20,000 vaccines are still in stock and will be given to other eligible people.

The controller said about 1 million vaccines are imported into Hong Kong each year. According to pharmaceutical companies, about 100,000 vaccines are still available for private doctors.

Vaccines in stock

When asked whether the Government will increase its stock of flu vaccines in the coming year, Dr Tsang said a decision will be made after consulting with the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Disease. The committee will make its recommendation in about two months.

On cases of community-associated Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (CA-MRSA) - a drug-resistant bacteria - he said about 20 cases were recorded in February, up from the 15 cases in the same period last year.

He expected a rise in the number of CA-MRSA cases this year because the Hospital Authority has adopted a new surveillance system since January and will take more samples for tests.