Expert says flu may come back
發佈日期: 2025-11-16 14:42
TVB News
Flu activity began to decline at the end of last month. But Professor David Hui, Chair Professor of Respiratory Medicine at CUHK, said on a TVB Programme that with the weather turning colder this week and mutations in the dominant flu strain, it is possible flu activity may rise again instead of continuing to fall.
"When the weather turns cold, viruses themselves become more active," said Professor Hui. "Plus, people feel cold and move indoors, where ventilation is poorer, especially in schools and elderly care homes. This can prolong the spread of the virus. On top of that, the current H3N2 strain has undergone antigenic drift, and its transmissibility is high."
"Although the current vaccine's ability to prevent infection has decreased, it still protects against hospitalisation and severe disease. In children aged 2 to 17, the protection against hospitalisation remains about 70-75%. For adults, them rate is around 30 to 40%. So it still offers a certain level of protection."
