Over 60 students affected by flu

A total of 63 students from five different schools were affected by influenza virus, the Health Bureau reported yesterday.
All affected students received medical treatment and are in stable medical condition. Two were hospitalised due to high fever, but they are recovering.
The bureau stressed that most of the affected students did not get the anti-influenza vaccine for the winter of 2011 and 2012. Health authorities collected samples from some sick students and asked the school to observe infection control measures.
Health Bureau specialist Leong Iek Hou told reporters yesterday that the flu peak season would last longer this year until at least March.
She added that the number of flu cases has been increasing also in neighbouring cities like Taiwan and Hong Kong, where there were “several death cases”. No death cases were reported in Macau so far, Leong added.
The physician urged residents to take the anti-influenza vaccination. There are some 30,000 vaccines free of charge available.
Doctor Lam Chong added that people should also observe their health behaviour, stay at home when they feel sick in order to avoid transmission and see the doctor as soon as possible.
Commenting on the increasing number of sick students, Lam said parents are informed about the vaccine. “However they think is not necessary, fear side effects or are too busy and have no time to bring their children to the health clinic,” he said.
Currently, all Macau residents have free access to influenza vaccination. So far around 30 percent of the people who belong to risk groups have been vaccinated.

A.L.