The Health Bureau (SSM) yesterday received six cluster reports of influenza-like illness, totalling 42 young students across several local schools.
In a statement detailing the reports of the clusters yesterday, the bureau said that the first cluster involves 16 patients comprising nine male and seven female students from class P2A and P2C of the Chan Sui Ki Perpetual Help College (CSKPHC), while the second has seven P6C students (four males, three females) from Sheng Kung Hui Choi Kou School Macau.
Three male toddlers from class 2C of the Fai Chi Kei Creche are meanwhile involved in the third cluster. Moreover, one male and four female K3C kindergarteners from Jardim de Infância D. José da Costa Nunes are affected in the fourth cluster, according to the statement.
The statement added that four males and four female students of the S2C class of the Premier School Affiliated to Hou Kong Middle School make up the fifth cluster, and, concerning the final cluster, it involves three male K2B students from the Macao Sam Yuk Middle School (English Section).
All students started showing upper respiratory symptoms like fever and cough starting October 7, with the statement noting that some sought treatment, with two CSKPHC students requiring hospitalisation and are currently in stable condition.
Investigating the six clusters, the bureau said that respiratory sample tests revealed that 26 individuals tested positive for Influenza A virus.
The statement added that the affected institutions have “stepped up infection control measures – including enhanced cleaning, disinfection, and maintaining indoor air ventilation – and have strictly implemented patient isolation protocols”.
The bureau urged members of the public to take measures such as receiving the seasonal influenza vaccine annually, receive COVID-19 jabs timely, avoiding going to crowded places, wearing a mask, and ensuring good hygiene and health practices as among the ways to avoid contracting influenza or other respiratory infectious diseases.
This image provided by the Health Bureau (SSM), with translation from Chinese arranged by the Post, shows ways to prevent respiratory infectious diseases.
