Health | SSM admits more patients with respiratory disease

The number of people diagnosed with respiratory disease rose in the past month, the Health Bureau (SSM) has reported. This increase has been attributed to the high incidence of the flu virus.
The latest figures from the bureau show that 12 out of 1,000 adults were diagnosed with the flu virus, while the number of children infected with the virus rose to 105 in 1,000.  Despite the growth in numbers, authorities say that the risk level remains low. Leong Iek Hou, a Health Bureau representative, confirmed that the monitoring data revealed the increase, but added that there may be a variety of respiratory viruses rather than simply the flu virus.
“Some of the patients had shown symptoms related to respiratory diseases. They might not necessarily have a fever, but also suffer from a  runny nose and coughing. This figure has indeed increased based on our monitoring data, but these symptoms might also relate to other respiratory diseases, such as adenovirus or rhinovirus,” Leong told TDM.
The SSM believes that flu shots are less effective because the virus has mutated.  Nevertheless, Leong said that the bureau will pay close attention to the state of the virus. He added that in case of any epidemic, hospitals have adequate quarantine wards and medicine to attend to patients in the city.
A recent study released in China states that the swine influenza virus H1N1 has transmuted and could possibly be passed onto humans. However, related flu shots have yet to be developed. Bloomberg