Macau Special Administrative Region Government : H7N9 imported case confirmed, plan in place to prevent spread of virus

The Government urges members of the public to remain vigilant and to take notice of advice regarding the prevention of avian influenza virus A (H7N9), following the confirmation of an imported case of the disease in Macao.

The Government has initiated its emergency response procedures in order to control the disease and to prevent it from spreading across the community. The Health Bureau gave the information on Thursday (12 January) during a specially-convened press conference

The confirmed case involved a 72-year-old female resident, with high blood pressure, diabetes and other chronic diseases. She has been placed under medical surveillance at Conde S. Januário Hospital, together with 43 people that had recently been in close contact with the person and an additional 23 that had had some recent contact with her.

The woman had been living in Zhongshan Prefecture, Guangdong Province. As of 8 January she had developed a fever, a cough and other symptoms of respiratory illness and was admitted to a hospital in Zhongshan on the same day. The patient returned to Macao on 10 January and was immediately sent to the Conde S. Januário Hospital.

The patient previously said she had no contact with any bird; but later revealed that she had been keeping chickens in Zhongshan and often went to markets that sold live birds.

The case has been reported to Guangdong and Hong Kong authorities respectively. The Government will work closely with health authorities on the mainland - including from neighbouring cities - and will keep in close contact with the World Health Organization, in order to prepare for implementation of contingency plans should suspected cases of the disease be reported elsewhere in Macao.

Members of the public are urged to remain vigilant and to take heed of the following measures regarding avian influenza prevention:

- Avoid visiting markets and farms located in areas where cases of avian influenza virus A (H7N9) have been detected

- Avoid contact with poultry and other birds, and their droppings; in case of contact, thoroughly wash hands with soap and water

- Avoid buying birds that have not passed through quarantine inspectio

- Poultry and eggs should be thoroughly cooked before eating

- Wash hands frequently with soap and water; and

- Wear masks when respiratory symptoms such as fever and cough develop, and seek medical treatment immediately.

Should there be any enquiry regarding the avian influenza virus A (H7N9), please visit the Health Bureau's website: http://www.ssm.gov.mo; or call [phone].

'Chinese and Portuguese are the official languages of Macao, the English version of the web site is the translation from the Chinese originals and is provided for reference only.'