Case of Avian Influenza A (H5N1) with Travel History to Singapore

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has been informed of a case of avian influenza A (H5N1) in an 8 year-old girl from Indonesia who had travelled to Singapore. The case developed fever on 18th June 2012 and passed away on 3rd July 2012.

2     Human cases of avian influenza A (H5N1) have been reported in a number of countries, including Indonesia from time to time since 2004. To date, the efficient spread of H5N1 from person to person has not been reported. There have been no local cases of H5N1 notified to MOH.

3     MOH is in close contact with the Indonesian health authorities and the World Health Organisation. The Indonesian health authorities have reported that the case had exposure to poultry while in Indonesia a few days before her travel to Singapore. They are monitoring her close contacts, including family members. All contacts have remained well.

4     As a precautionary measure, MOH has alerted hospitals to this case and we have commenced contact tracing in Singapore. The case stayed at a hotel in Singapore with her mother and other relatives from 19 to 24 June 2012 on a vacation. She was brought to see a general practitioner for high fever on 22 June and was given treatment. Her relative who lives here and the general practitioner who treated the case are both well.