The Health Bureau (SSM) said in a statement yesterday that a local man was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at Kiang Wu Hospital on Monday with severe influenza.
According to the statement, the patient is a 49-year-old male with a history of chronic illness.
On Monday evening, the patient developed fever and breathing difficulties at home and was rushed by ambulance to the private hospital, the statement said, adding that during treatment he lost consciousness and was diagnosed with influenza A complicated by pneumonia.
According to the statement, the patient was on ventilator support and receiving treatment in the intensive care unit yesterday. The bureau described his condition as critical.
The statement noted that during the incubation period, the patient had no history of travel abroad and had not received the seasonal influenza vaccine for this year.
The statement also said that the patient’s household contacts have developed influenza-like symptoms including fever and runny nose, adding that they have been advised to seek medical evaluation promptly for assessment and obtain a prescription for antiviral medication.
In the statement, Health Bureau reminded the public that influenza viruses are active in Macau.
The 2025–2026 seasonal influenza vaccine currently available provides protection against influenza A and B viruses and is the most effective measure to prevent the circulating strains, significantly reducing the risk of severe complications and death.
Residents who have not been vaccinated since September last year – especially high-risk groups such as pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and individuals with chronic conditions, who are more likely to develop severe complications or even die following influenza infection – should get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Image courtesy of Dr Mikael Häggström/Wikimedia Commons
