The Health Bureau today reported one locally infected and seven imported Influenza A (H1N1) cases, bringing the total number of such cases to 42.

At a press conference at the Influenza Response and Coordination Centre, the Bureau announced that the local case was a 19-year-old postman, whose brother was confirmed to have the virus on 30 June.

The postman fell ill yesterday and was tested positive. Since he had not left Macao in the preceding seven days, he was thus classified as a locally infected case.

The seven imported cases involved four Macao citizens, aged between 12 and 43, and three women -- an 18-year-old Australian, a 26-year-old Filipina, and a 51-year-old from Hong Kong. They were admitted to Hospital Conde S. Januário.

Another patient had recovered from the disease and was discharged from hospital today.

Currently 24 confirmed Influenza A (H1N1) patients were receiving treatment at the quarantine wards at Hospital Conde S. Januário, and 120 people were asked to stay home for medical observation.

The Bureau urged all companies, organisations, institutions and individuals to adhere to their issued guidelines and keep good personal hygiene.

Macao’s pandemic alert remained at Level VI, Blue, which indicated that there were no fatal cases and the spread of the virus was moderate.