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Tackling H1N1 in Singapore

Tue, 06/30/2009 - 17:03 — Yan Shuo

Yesterday, 30 more confirmed cases of H1N1 flu were reported, bringing the total to 629. With a majority of new cases now locally acquired, it is clear that community spread is inevitable.

In a prescient statement last Tuesday, Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said, “We have crossed the tipping point, beyond which local transmissions will grow rapidly.” Since then, the government has changed its erstwhile strategy of border control and contact tracing to detecting and prioritizing “high-risk” patients.

This has caused confusion amongst Singaporeans. Yesterday, A Madam Ong Tze Lin wrote into the Straits Times Forum to enquire as to why her husband was not even tested for H1N1 despite developing indicative symptoms and having possibly come into contact with carriers in the Maju Camp cluster.

The Ministry of Health replied to say, “We are… moving from containment to mitigation phase… the definition of ‘close contacts’ and the need for laboratory testing of ‘close contacts’ are progressively being tightened… In the case of Madam Ong's husband, the doctor must have decided his exposure was very low.”

Coping with swine flu

Wed, 05/27/2009 - 11:57 — Yan Shuo

This morning, the Ministry of Health announced that they have confirmed the first local case of H1N1 flu. The patient is a 22-year-old Singaporean woman, who recently returned from New York, and is currently being treated at Tan Tock Seng Hospital. The Ministry is still tracing those who have come into contact with her.

Now that the swine flu is finally upon us, we need to be more vigilant. Although the strain has proved to be not as virulent as feared, it has nonetheless claimed the lives of nearly 100 people worldwide. Here are some measures that you can take to minimise the spread of the virus, thereby ensuring the safety of you and your loved ones.

Maintain person hygiene
  • Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly with soap and water.
  • Use a serving spoon when sharing food from a common dish.
  • Do not share personal items such as toothbrushes and towels.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
  • Lead a healthy lifestyle to improve your immunity.

Be socially responsible

  • Stay at home, do not go to work, and avoid crowded areas if you feel unwell.
  • Consult a doctor if you develop flu symptoms.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with tissue paper when coughing and sneezing, and dispose of the soiled paper properly.

For more information on the swine flu, please visit the Government's official website on flu here.