Updates on Earlier Confirmed Cases

10 Jun 2009

1. To date, two more patients (13th & 14th case) have been discharged, bringing the total number of discharged patients to 12.  The remaining 6 patients (7th, 8th, 15th - 18th cases) are still in the hospital and their conditions remain stable.

Contact Tracing for 16th – 18th Cases

2. Contact tracing for the 16th – 18th cases have all been accounted for. For the 16th case involving a 40-year-old male foreigner from India who went to Melbourne on 31 May, MOH has identified 5 close contacts involving flight passengers. A total of 3 HQOs have been served to the close contacts (comprising 2 Singaporeans and 1 foreigner) who had entry records into Singapore. Their period of quarantine will end on 13 Jun. For the remaining 2 flight passengers who did not have entry records into Singapore and are uncontactable, we have alerted our ICA and IHR counterparts for their follow-up actions. No community contacts have been identified as the case did  not have any sustained closed contact with anyone after his return to Singapore. 

3. For the 17th case involving a 25-year-old Malaysian female who went to Melbourne on 21 May, MOH has identified 47 close contacts involving flight passengers.  Of the 28 passengers established as close contacts with entry records into Singapore, 27 (comprising of 25 Singaporeans and 2 foreigners) have been served HQOs.  Their period of quarantine will end on 15 Jun. The remaining foreign passenger is uncontactable and we have alerted ICA to inform us if she turns up at our checkpoints.  We have also informed WHO and IHR of a local close contact of the case who has since travelled out of Singapore, and the remaining 19 passengers who did not have entry records into Singapore.

4. For the 18th case involving a 36-year-old Filipino female who was in the Philippines from 2 - 8 Jun, MOH has identified 3 local household contacts and 26 close contacts comprising of flight passengers. All 3 local contacts have been served HQOs which will end on 16 Jun. Of the 24 passengers established as close contacts with entry records into Singapore, 22 (comprising of 7 Singaporeans and 15 foreigners) have been served HQOs.  Their period of quarantine will end on 15 Jun. The remaining 2 foreign passengers are uncontactable and we have alerted ICA to inform us if they turn up at our checkpoints.  We have also informed WHO and IHR of the remaining 2 flight passengers who did not have entry records into Singapore.

Management of Suspected H1N1 Cases in Pregnant Women & Children 

5. From 11 June, all suspected cases of Influenza A (H1N1-2009) involving children under the age of 16 years, and pregnant women beyond 24 weeks gestation will be referred directly to the Children’s Emergency (CE) at KKH via the 993 ambulance. In situations where both parent(s) and child are suspected cases of Influenza A (H1N1-2009), they will be referred to KKH together in the first instance.  This will allow the patients to receive the required paediatric and obstetric care needed. They will be attended by the respective paediatric and obstetric teams on duty at the CE.

Advice from MOH

6. MOH advises the public to avoid non-essential travel to the list of affected areas (Melbourne and the state of Victoria in Australia, Kobe and Osaka in Japan and Chile, USA, Canada and Mexico).  For those who need to travel, they should see a doctor as soon as possible if they feel unwell overseas and refrain from travelling until certified fit by the doctor. This is in line with the World Health Organisation’s recommendations for people who are ill to delay international travel and for people who develop symptoms following travel to seek medical attention.

7. For people who are unable to avoid travelling to the specific affected areas, they should:

- Avoid crowded areas and contact with anyone who appears unwell.

- Maintain high standards of personal hygiene at all times.

- Wash hands regularly and thoroughly with soap and water, especially before touching the eyes, nose or mouth.

- Turn quickly away from anyone near if they are about to cough or sneeze.

- Cover the nose and mouth with a piece of tissue when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of the tissue paper properly in the dust bin after use.

8. On their return to Singapore, they should continue to monitor their health closely and if they have any flu-like symptoms, they should avoid public transport and call for the 993 ambulance service to take them to the Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

9. MOH is monitoring the situation closely and will keep the public informed on 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