A 35-year-old local woman on a ventilator died of acute myocarditis* on Friday, just five days after she was diagnosed with the flu – and the Health Bureau (SSM) said in a statement later that day that the victim had been at high risk for the flu and had not received the current seasonal flu vaccine.
According to the SSM statement, the victim fell ill with fever and cough on January 31 and was diagnosed with Influenza A last Monday at the public Conde de São Januário Hospital Centre. She was hospitalised after experiencing chest pain and sought treatment at the public hospital’s emergency department on Thursday.
The SSM statement noted that as of Friday Macau had already recorded seven severe flu cases this year, including two deaths due to complications from influenza.
The other victim was a 69-year-old local woman, who had also not been vaccinated against this year’s seasonal influenza and suffered from a raft of chronic illnesses. She was pronounced dead on Thursday after suffering from Influenza A with pneumonia.
In view of the rising number of flu cases, the number of residents receiving flu jabs at public health centres and health stations has increased, with more than 5,400 shots of vaccine provided in two days, according to another statement from the SSM yesterday.
A total of over 5,400 residents received influenza vaccinations this past weekend, of which over 3,300 were vaccinated by non-appointment, the statement said.
In its separate statements, the bureau reiterated its appeal to all those who have not yet been inoculated against the flu to get their shots as soon as possible – free of charge for local residents at public health centres and stations, while non-local residents, including blue card holders, can receive their flu vaccination at the private Kiang Wu Hospital and Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) Hospital, as well as the Workers’ Medical Clinic on Rua do Bispo Medeiros at their own expense.
*Acute myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle (myocardium) that occurs suddenly and can affect the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively. It can be caused by various factors, including viral infections, autoimmune diseases, bacterial infections, and exposure to certain toxins or drugs. – Poe
This poster provided by the Health Bureau (SSM) last week warns the public against the flu and urges precautions such as getting one’s seasonal flu jabs every year.
