The Health Bureau holds a press conference to give more information regarding the seasonal influenza situation and the first flu-related death in Macao this year.
The Government urges members of the public to take preventive measures and get vaccinated against seasonal influenza, as Macao enters a peak season for winter flu.
The Health Bureau made the appeal at a press conference on Thursday (25 January), after giving more information about the city’s first flu-related death this year.
Macao has prepared a response plan to cope with the fluctuating incidence of flu, including reserving sufficient supply of medicines, vaccines and other medical resources, stressed the Bureau.
The Bureau has purchased a total of 120,000 flu jabs for the 2017-2018 flu season; there are still some 14,600 vaccines available for Macao residents. Macao also has a reserve of antiviral medicines that could serve an aggregate of 180,000 people, and a three-month supply of epidemic-prevention material.
The city’s first fatal case of flu this year involved a four-year-old girl with previous good health. She was a Macao resident studying in a local kindergarten. She presented with fever and a runny nose on 18 January and tested negative for influenza virus when she first sought treatment at Kiang Wu Hospital. Her condition did not improve after initial treatment. On 23 January, she was admitted to Kiang Wu Hospital and tested positive for influenza A virus. Her condition deteriorated after admission and she died at 1pm on 25 January.
Clinical diagnosis showed her death was related to influenza A infection complicated with pneumonia.
The patient and her one-and-a-half year old sister – who has also tested positive for influenza A virus – did not receive 2017-2018 seasonal flu vaccination. The kindergarten the patient attended had not been identified as having had an outbreak of flu-related disease.
Since 1 January, the city has recorded a total of 15 cases (four males and 11 females) with flu infection combined with pneumonia. Among the balance of the patients, 12 are now discharged and two are being treated in local hospitals and are in stable condition. The Bureau learnt that 13 of the 15 total patients had not been vaccinated in preparation for the current flu season.
People suffering from respiratory symptoms are advised to seek immediate medical advice and refrain from attending work or school, urged the Health Bureau.
The Bureau will continue to monitor developments regarding incidence of respiratory diseases. Members of the public are urged to practise good personal and environmental hygiene and to take heed of the following measures in order to minimise the risk of infection from a respiratory disease:
- Get vaccinated every year against flu;
- Take adequate rest, maintain a balanced diet, and exercise regularly;
- Maintain strict personal hygiene and wash hands frequently;
- Cover nose and mouth with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing; properly dispose of any nasal or mouth fluid discharge and wash hands thoroughly afterwards; and cover nose and mouth with elbow when sneezing without tissue paper;
- Maintain good indoor ventilation and environmental hygiene;
- Wear a mask if respiratory symptoms such as fever and cough develop; if taking care of a patient at home; or if visiting hospitals and clinics; and
- Seek medical treatment immediately in the event of feeling unwell.
For more information regarding seasonal flu, please visit the website of the Health Bureau (http://www.ssm.gov.mo/csr/); or call the hotline at +853 2870 0800.