Health | Flu patient in critical condition dies from complications

A 68-year-old man passed away early Saturday morning after a bout of double pneumonia and sepsis, raising the number of local influenza-related fatalities to three.

The Health Bureau (SSM) said that the man, who was part of a group of influenza (flu) patients in critical condition, had contracted double pneumonia from an infection of “streptococcus pneumonia” bacteria.

The man was confirmed to be infected with the Influenza B virus after displaying flu symptoms early this month.
He was admitted to the Kiang Wu Hospital on February 13 and transferred to the Conde de São Januário Hospital Center (CHCSJ) on February 19 when he began having respiratory problems and required a mechanical ventilator.

The SSM said the other patients in critical condition are aged 64 and 83. Both have been hospitalized in the Kiang Wu Hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU) and are also using mechanical ventilators.
In a better condition is a 45-year-old patient admitted to the ICU of the CHCSJ, who is improving and no longer requires respiratory aid.

The SSM noted that all the critical cases – including those where patients died following complications from their illness – had not received the winter influenza vaccine of 2017-2018.

It has called on residents to seek the vaccination immediately, especially if they belong to higher-risk groups.