On the 23rd and 26th of December, more than 400 people suffering from influenza visited the A&E department of the Dr Nélio Mendonça hospital. Until the 21st, the number had not exceeded 350. These cases refer to seasonal flu and influenza A (the only species of Alphafluennzavirus, whose different strains can infect some birds and mammals (avian flu and swine influenza). Influenza A is highly contagious and can be transmitted via airborne droplets from talking, sneezing, or coughing. Symptoms include: fever, cough, nasal congestion., fatigue, sore throat, conjunctivitis, and pneumonia).
The latest figures were delivered by Rita Vieira, director of the hospital’s emergency service, who said that these numbers will rise due to contact infection and numbers will peak in January.
Despite difficulties and the number of cases, the A&E director assured journalists that everything was under control.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
