Longer flu season to plague Macau

The Health Bureau (SSM) reported at least four influenza cases of limited outbreaks in local schools involving dozens of primary and secondary education students

Influenza cases keep rising in Macau amid lingering cold weather and low vaccination numbers. The authorities warns that the peak flu season will last longer this year, from February well into March.
Flu cases rebounded in recent days after a short decline earlier this year, with cases climbing to a daily average of around 200 to 250 at public hospital Conde S. Januário.
Most of them are children – 40 percent of the patients are school-aged youngsters – or elderly. So far, no patient has developed any serious complication.
The Health Bureau (SSM) reported at least four cases of limited outbreaks in local schools involving dozens of primary and secondary education students. Local schools are instructed to enforce stricter hygienic conditions to prevent large-scale outbreaks.
SSM deputy director Chan Wai Sin said on Saturday that the low temperatures this winter had resulted in an early arrival of peak flu season, which is expected to last well into March.
He blamed the higher number of flu cases on the public’s laxness in prevention.
According to the bureau’s figures, up to 74,000 residents have taken flu shots so far this year. The number is down by seven percent year-on-year. About 18,400 of them are senior citizens aged 60 or above while less than 36,200 are primary and secondary school students and teachers.
The SSM believes the number has dropped because serious cold-related complications are yet to be seen this year.
“There were cases of serious complications last year, so many people hurried to get the vaccines. This year hasn’t seen any report of serious complications. So perhaps the residents aren’t paying much attention to it. And we did a lot of promotion last year,” said Chan.
“But indeed, our flu-related figures came out earlier this year and the peak flu season will last longer,” he warned. Chan added that the length of the flu season depended on when the weather will become warmer.
The bureau urged the public to protect themselves against the disease by taking enough rest and observing proper personal hygiene, as well as receiving free vaccinations at designated hospitals and clinics.