3 more confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1-2009) in Singapore

28 May 2009

Singapore has confirmed three more cases of Influenza A (H1N1-2009). The patients are currently being treated at the Communicable Disease Centre at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH). Their symptoms are relatively mild and all of them are in stable condition.

2 The second confirmed case is a 43-year-old female Singapore Permanent Resident  who returned to Singapore from San Francisco via Manila on Tuesday, 26 at 1750 hrs. She was on Singapore Airlines, SQ 917 and was seated at 33H. She became unwell while on board.

3 The third confirmed case is a 28-year-old American female who is working in Singapore. She returned to Singapore from Honolulu via Tokyo on Tuesday, 26 May at 2353 hrs, on United Airlines, UA 803. She was seated at 33C. She became unwell on 26 May.

4 The fourth confirmed case is a 28-year-old Singaporean male who returned to Singapore from Chicago via Hong Kong on 25 May at 0036hrs. He was on United Airlines, UA 895 and was seated at 55H. He became unwell on 25 May.

5 Contact tracing of their close contacts (including passengers on the same flights) is ongoing.   They will be quarantined and provided with antiviral prophylaxis.  Passengers within three rows in front and behind the case who have not been contacted by MOH yet should call the MOH hotline at 1800-333 9999 to enable us to check on their health condition expeditiously.  The affected rows for SQ 917 are 30-36 ; for UA 803, the affected rows are 30-36 and for UA 895, the affected rows are 52-58.

6  MOH would like to take this opportunity to remind those who have travelled in the preceding 7 days to affected countries to seek immediate medical attention once they develop influenza-like symptoms. They should call 993 for an ambulance. This will help minimise the risk of infecting those around them, especially people who are at higher risk of severe illness and complications of influenza. It is with the cooperation of the public that we can together help prevent the spread of the virus in Singapore and prevent unnecessary illness or death.

Enhanced vigilance

7 The Ministry has reminded all medical practitioners and healthcare institutions to continue to be vigilant to suspect cases. We will continue with temperature screening for passengers entering Singapore at all checkpoints (land, sea and air).  All passengers passing through or entering Singapore are given Health Alert Notices on board their flights, advising them to monitor their own health if they have been to affected areas and to seek medical attention immediately if they are not well. 

Advice from MOH

8 Singaporeans are reminded to maintain high standards of personal hygiene. This means covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough, and washing your hand frequently with soap and water, especially after contact with respiratory secretions (e.g., after sneezing and coughing). We also need the cooperation of everyone to be socially responsible. This means staying home and avoiding crowded places (including trains, buses, offices), putting on a surgical mask and seeing a doctor if you have flu symptoms. MOH advises those who travelled to affected areas to closely monitor their health and to immediately call 993 for an ambulance once they develop symptoms. 

9 Members of the public are advised to exercise caution over travel to affected areas. In the event that travel is unavoidable, the public is advised to take precautionary measures such as avoiding crowded areas and maintaining high standards of personal hygiene at all times. However, iff you are unwell with fever and cough but have no travel history to affected areas, please see a doctor and stay at home.

10 MOH is monitoring the situation closely and will update the public should there be any new developments. For more information on Influenza A (H1N1-2009), please access MOH’s website at www.moh.gov.sg, call our hotline at 1800-333 9999, or visit www.flu.gov.sg.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH