According to the Health Bureau (SSM), 268 cases of influenza, commonly known as the flu, were reported this month, 137 of which were found in the 21st week this year – between May 15 and 21.
The statement said that according to the city’s hospitals, flu-like cases have increased sharply from the beginning of May, in which adults accounted for the majority. The statement noted that in the 21st week, the proportion of adult emergency department visits due to influenza-like cases accounted for 5.3 visits per 100 visits, compared with the 2.7 visits and 1.6 visits in the 20th week and the previous four weeks, up by 98.1 percent and 219.9 percent respectively.
Meanwhile, the proportion of paediatric emergencies accounted for 23.3 visits per 100 visits, which slightly dropped by 9.7 percent compared with the visits of 25.6 in the 20th week, while compared with the previous four weeks, the number of cases in the 21st week increased by 29.5 percent with 18 visits, the statement noted.
The statement underlined that since May 1, 6.3 percent of flu-like patients tested positive for influenza, which has risen by 0.7 percent compared to last month. The statement added that after testing, the cases were confirmed as Influenza A virus subtype H1N1, while the other viral respiratory diseases were mainly the human parainfluenza virus, enterovirus/rhinovirus, human metapneumovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus with the percentages of 24.7, 22.4, 17.4, and 10.8 respectively.
The statement highlighted that from January to Friday this month, there was only one case of severe complicated influenza in Macau. The statement added that the patient is a 68-year-old man who has not had an influenza vaccination.
In order to prevent influenza or other viral respiratory diseases, the bureau urged residents to get vaccinated against seasonal influenza every year, as well as to follow a balanced diet and get enough sleep and exercise. Residents should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene, such as washing hands frequently, covering their mouths and noses properly while sneezing or coughing, coughing into a tissue and putting the sputum into covered dustbins, and washing hands immediately. The bureau also urged residents to avoid going to crowded places, and people who get flu-like symptoms or need to take care of a sick person and need to go to hospitals or medical centres should wear a facemask.
Image courtesy of Dr Mikael Häggström/Wikimedia Commons
