Macao steps up measures to prevent swine flu

Macao has raised its alert from Level II to Level III and stepped up its preventive measures following reports of swine influenza A (H1N1) cases in Mexico and the United States of America. The Influenza Pandemic Prevention Coordination Group, an inter-departmental task force, held an urgent meeting today. Its chairman, the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Mr Chui Sai On, said Macao had adequate drugs and personal prevention equipment to combat the influenza. He urged the public to follow advice issued by the health departments and maintain good personal hygiene. Mr Chui said the Government would step up surveillance and strengthen monitoring at terminals and crossings. Moreover, hospitals had also stepped up prevention measures and the quarantine wards were already in place. Macao Health Bureau officials will take part in a video conference tomorrow with their counterparts in the Ministry of Health of the Central Government and the Department of Health of the HKSAR to see how they could work more closely together. The Government would also maintain close contact with the Western Pacific regional office of the World Health Organization, Ministry of Health of the Central Government, Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, and health departments of Hong Kong and Guangdong Province. The Government had issued tentative guidelines to medical institutions and medical staff to step up prevention and asked them to notify authorities of any suspected cases. The quarantine wards at Hospital Conde S. Januário and a Coloane quarantine centre have been prepared and ready for use. Schools, educational and social welfare institutions were asked to step up surveillance for suspected cases of respiratory tract infection. The Government would continue to issue travel advice and alerts to residents when needed. And subject to developments the Government could introduce measures to widen the areas and form of travel alerts, restrict visitors at hospitals, and take the special measures necessary as prescribed in the pandemic prevention law.