Update (II) On Atypical Pneumonia Cases In Singapore

15 Mar 2003

On 13 March 03, the Ministry of Health had reported that there were 3 cases of atypical pneumonia in persons who had travelled to Hong Kong.

As of 15 March 03, we have a total of 16 cases of atypical pneumonia. Other than the 3 initial cases, there are an additional 13 cases who have been admitted to hospital. All these have been in close contact with cases of atypical pneumonia. Six are family members and friends, and 7 are hospital staff who had attended to the patients when they were first admitted to the hospitals. All these cases are stable. Patients are being isolated and the hospital staff have been informed to observe enhanced infection control procedures when attending to suspected cases.

The organism responsible for the infection has not yet been identified. However, on-going investigations suggest a viral origin.

The Ministry is in close touch with the World Health Organisation (WHO). Specimens from the patients with atypical pneumonia will be sent to the WHO Collaborating Centres in Atlanta and Japan for further investigations.

The Ministry advises you to seek immediate medical attention if you have:

- fever, muscle ache and respiratory symptoms of cough, sore throat, shortness of breath or breathing difficulty;

AND

- have travelled to Hong Kong, Hanoi or Guangdong province in China, within 2 weeks of onset of the symptoms;

OR

- are a close contact of persons diagnosed with this type of atypical pneumonia.

As a precautionary measure, the Ministry strongly advises you to avoid travel to Hong Kong, Hanoi and Guangdong province in China for the time being, unless absolutely necessary.