Two local cases confirmed; Zone A declared infectious

The Health Bureau (SSM) reported on Friday and Saturday two local cases of Chikungunya fever among Macau residents, both worksite personnel in Zone A of the new landfills, linked to the same source of infection from an imported case.

According to two separate statements from the SSM, the first patient is a 34-year-old man living at Rua Central da Areia Preta. He developed a sore throat on July 27, but had no fever or joint pain. He tested negative for the Chikungunya virus that day. However, by August 1, he had a rash on his upper limbs and chest, which led him to seek medical care at Conde S. Januário Hospital, where he tested positive for the virus.

The second patient is a 34-year-old woman living at Calçada do Tronco Velho, who experienced a rash on her limbs on July 30, with symptoms worsening to include a rash on her face and fever by August 1. She sought treatment at Kiang Wu Hospital and was confirmed positive for the Chikungunya virus on Saturday.

Both patients are linked to three confirmed imported cases of Chikungunya fever reported by the Department of Health of Guangdong Province, all associated with personnel working at the construction site in Zone A.

Among the two local cases, the female patient traveled to Japan from July 13 to 21 and reported no mosquito bites. From July 22 to 29, she worked daily at the construction site in Zone A, except for the afternoon of July 26 and the weekend of July 27.

The authorities emphasized that work at the site was suspended on July 30 for rectification and would only resume once the environmental improvements had been verified.

Meanwhile, mosquito control measures have reportedly been implemented near the patients’ residences.