The Health Bureau (SSM) said in a statement yesterday that influenza virus positivity among flu-like illnesses stood at 15 percent at the end of last month, a bit higher than the early warning level of 14.5 percent, indicating that Macau has reached the peak of the flu season.
The statement said the bureau expected the flu season to continue to be active over the next few weeks, adding that the bureau would continue to pay close attention to the situation, urging the public to take note of precautionary measures.
According to the statement, a total of 21 critical influenza cases were recorded in Macau last year, aged between 3 and 92 years, of which five died. The statement underlined that only five of the 21 cases had received an influenza vaccination.
125 gastroenteritis cases per week last month
In addition, the Health Bureau (SSM) announced in a separate statement yesterday that it had recorded 12 collective gastroenteritis cases last month, with the average number of acute gastroenteritis cases reported per week amounting to 125 at the end of last month.
Among the 12 collective gastroenteritis cases, seven were caused by norovirus, two by Salmonella and three by undetected pathogens, involving a total of about 180 people with relatively mild symptoms, the statement said, pointing out that the number of norovirus cases had the most significant rise.
Macau has been going through an active stage of acute gastroenteritis since last month, the statement said, urging the public to be aware of personal, environmental and food hygiene to prevent the spread of the disease.
The bureau pointed out that acute gastroenteritis is usually caused by different pathogens such as viruses or bacteria. Common pathogens include norovirus and Salmonella. The routes of transmission include consumption of food or water contaminated with viruses or bacteria, contact with vomit or faeces of the patient, contact with virus-contaminated objects, or droplet transmission.
The common symptoms of acute gastroenteritis include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and fever, but are usually mild, the statement said.
Flu warning poster courtesy of IDPH
