The daily number of influenza (aka flu) cases reported at the public Conde de São Januário Hospital Centre has “slightly” decreased to 1,050 last week from about 1,200 the previous week, Leong Iek Hou, who heads the Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Division of the Health Bureau (SSM), said yesterday, underlining that Macau’s influenza situation remains at a high level of circulation.
According to Dr Leong, who spoke to reporters after the press conference about the bureau’s “Healthy Food Restaurant” programme at the Public Health Emergency Personnel Accommodation Building on Estrada do Visconde de S. Januário, the two flu seasons in Macau annually peak between January and March and between June and September respectively, the latter of which, she pointed out, has been slightly delayed this year, with cases having risen since the end of August.
Amid a peak in influenza activity, Dr Leong noted that of every 100 people who seek treatment at the public hospital’s emergency department for fever and respiratory diseases, 30 percent have been infected with influenza viruses, while 20 percent have the novel coronavirus.
However, Dr Leong was quick to add that the current flu activity is less severe than that in April when 50 percent of 100 patients were flu infectees among the daily total number of people seeking treatment at the emergency department at the peak of the infections.
In view of the fact that the mainland’s eight-day National Day/Mid-Autumn Festival Golden Week holiday between September 29 and October 6 has just ended, with quite a few local people travelling outside Macau during the period, the bureau promised to closely monitor whether there would be an increase in flu cases, urging members of the public to take personal prevention measures, such as wearing a facemask.
The bureau began providing free flu shots for high-risk residents on September 25, and Dr Leong noted yesterday that as of last Thursday, 14,000 vaccinations had been provided, describing the overall situation as “positive”.
Considering an increase in influenza cases in Macau and paediatric flu deaths reported in neighbouring areas, Dr Leong urged high-risk residents to be vaccinated as soon as possible, stressing that the city’s health centres will gradually carry out flu vaccinations in care homes for senior citizens and schools this month.
Mpox
Meanwhile, when asked about the health condition of Macau’s first recorded Mpox infectee, Dr Leong said that the 29-year-old local victim had been discharged from the public hospital after treatment. Dr Leong added that, according to an epidemiological investigation, although the victim had high-risk sexual behaviour during the incubation period, he did not have any sexual intercourse after the onset of the symptoms. She underlined that as the victim lives alone and has no regular sexual partner, there were no close contacts who needed to be followed up.
The Health Bureau confirmed the city’s first Mpox case late last month.
Dr Leong urged those who have had high-risk sexual behaviour and developed symptoms similar to Mpox’s, such as fever, a rash, or blisters, to see a doctor as soon as possible. She also urged those who believe they are at high-risk of being infected to get free Mpox jabs at a local health centre promptly.
Vibrio vulnificus infection
Meanwhile, in terms of the bureau’s two recent reports of Vibrio vulnificus infection, in which two local men got, respectively, their left index finger and toe on the left foot injured by fish fins at Cheoc Van Beach and Hac Sa Beach, Dr Leong pointed out that the Vibrio vulnificus infection was “not uncommon” in Macau, adding that among the cases the bureau had recorded, there was one amputation or even one fatality every year.
Dr Leong noted that the two patients did not require amputation, but they still continue to undergo outpatient treatment.
The Vibrio vulnificus is a naturally occurring bacterium that exists in coastal waters and is particularly active under certain conditions, according to Dr Leong, who pointed out that such infections may occur if the wound comes into contact with sea water or if food contaminated by the bacterium, such as shellfish, is consumed.
Leong Iek Hou, who heads the Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Division of the Health Bureau (SSM), speaks to reporters after yesterday’s press conference at the Public Health Emergency Personnel Accommodation Building on Estrada do Visconde de S. Januário. – Photo: Yuki Lei
