The Health Bureau (SSM) said in a statement yesterday that there has been no increase in influenza-like cases in Macau recently, with the positive rate of the influenza virus dropping from 15 percent last month to 5 percent last week, while the positive rate of novel coronavirus dropped from 13 percent last month to 3 percent last week.
According to the statement, the number of influenza-like cluster infections in educational institutions and nurseries also showed a downward trend, from 30 cases per week last month to 11 cases last week, mainly caused by influenza A virus and in some cases by mycoplasma pneumoniae (a form of atypical bacterial pneumonia).
The statement said that the bureau has noticed the recent increase in respiratory diseases in the mainland, but the overall influenza and novel coronavirus activity in Macau is at a low level, and the infection of mycoplasma pneumoniae is still at a low level.
In view of the high incidence of respiratory infectious diseases in Macau in the winter and spring every year, residents are advised to remain vigilant and take relevant preventive measures such as getting vaccinated, the statement said.
The statement said that the bureau has been providing BioNTech mRNA jabs targeting the Omicron XBB subvariants to high-risk individuals since November 15, and has been providing free flu shots to local residents since last Monday, adding that as of Thursday, more than 124,000 doses had been administered, which is ideal compared to previous years.
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 mouth and nose properly while sneezing or coughing, coughing into a tissue and putting the sputum into covered dustbins, and washing one’s hands immediately.
The bureau also urged residents to avoid going to crowded places, and people who have 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
