Macao reports seven locally infected H1N1 cases

Macao reported seven locally infected Influenza A (H1N1) cases today, which involved five three-year-old children from the same crèche and two of their parents. The Influenza Response and Coordination Centre announced at a press conference today that the five kids – four girls and a boy – developed flu symptoms between 25 and 29 June and were all tested positive for the virus today. The Health Bureau ordered the crèche to suspend services and prescribe medication to the classmates of the infected children. A 39-year-old woman, who was the mother of one of the infected girls and worked as a pediatrician of Hospital Conde S. Januário, was also infected. She developed flu symptoms on Sunday and was tested positive for the virus yesterday evening. The other infected parent was a 33-year-old woman who worked as a doctor of a private medical services centre. She developed flu symptoms yesterday and was tested positive for the virus today after bringing her daughter to Hospital Conde S. Januário. The Health Bureau acknowledged that this was the first community outbreak in Macao, which indicated that the virus had been brought into the community. The health authorities would gradually shift its focus to treating infected patients and people with higher risks of infection. The Bureau also reported one imported case, which involved a 12-year-old Macao resident. He visited Hong Kong from 15 to 23 June and developed cough on 24 June, fever on 29 June, and was tested positive for the virus on the same day. In the meantime, he attended classes at a tutorial centre and a school, as well as church services at a church. The Health Bureau had been tracing his close contact persons from the tutorial centre, school and church. The Bureau also announced that five patients were discharged from hospital today after recovering from the disease. Currently there were 14 confirmed Influenza A (H1N1) patients receiving treatment at the quarantine wards at Hospital Conde S. Januário. Ninety-two people were asked to stay home for medical observation. Macao’s pandemic alert remained at Level VI, Blue, which indicated no fatal cases and no more than 20 patients were being treated at hospital at one time.