The Health Bureau (SSM) announced in a statement yesterday that a total of 5,078 cases of mandatorily notifiable diseases were recorded last month.
Influenza topped the list with 4,855 cases, a 5.6-fold surge compared to the 731 cases reported in December 2024.
The statement also said that the number of registered influenza cases also rose by around 35.7 percent compared to November’s 3,578 cases.
The bureau noted that influenza commonly occurs during winter and spring, primarily spreading through airborne transmission and droplets. Receiving the seasonal influenza vaccine remains the most effective preventive measure.
Enterovirus infection and chickenpox recorded 87 cases and 29 cases last month, respectively, the statement said.
The statement pointed out that December’s cases of enterovirus infection showed a 57.8 percent decrease from November. However, the statement pointed out, the figure is around double that of the 43 cases recorded in December 2024.
The statement also said that last month’s norovirus* infection cases have shown a significant increase compared to November, with 21 cases reported in December – a 3.2-fold rise from the only five cases recorded in November.
The bureau noted in the statement that the norovirus causes gastroenteritis and can easily trigger outbreaks in settings such as residential care facilities and schools, pointing out that individuals of any age are susceptible to infection.
Currently, 45 types of diseases are subject to mandatory notification in Macau, according to the statement.
*The norovirus is primarily associated with gastroenteritis, which is inflammation of the stomach and intestines. – Poe
Flu alert poster courtesy of Illinois Department of Public Health
