Health Advisory Notices to be distributed at Airports

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has been closely monitoring the avian influenza A (H7N9) situation in China and novel Coronavirus in the Middle East. As the number of reported H7N9 cases in China has been increasing, the Ministry has decided to take additional measures, especially in view of the upcoming school holidays where Singaporeans are likely to travel abroad.

2.         MOH has put up health advisory posters at various points in our airports since 15 April 2013. To further enhance public awareness and encourage travellers to seek timely treatment if ill, MOH is working with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and Changi Airport Group (CAG) to distribute individual Health Advisory Notices (HANs) to travellers on flights returning from affected areas, starting from noon on 20 April 2013.

3.         The HAN, printed in English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil, reminds travellers to look out for signs and symptoms of flu, such as fever and cough, and seek early medical attention from any medical clinic if they are ill with such symptoms. Individuals should inform their doctors of their travel history, particularly if they have been to areas in China (Anhui, Beijing, Henan, Jiangsu, Shanghai and Zhejiang) with reported cases of H7N9. The HAN also includes Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates where there are cases of novel Coronavirus.

4.         Travellers to affected H7N9 areas in China and novel Coronavirus affected areas in the Middle East should practise the following:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water (e.g. before handling food or eating after going to toilet, or when hands are dirtied by respiratory secretion after coughing or sneezing);

• Avoid crowded places and contact with sick people with fever;

• Wear a mask when you have respiratory symptoms or are feeling unwell;

• Travellers to areas in China with cases of H7N9 should cook poultry and eggs thoroughly before eating, avoid direct contact with poultry, birds or their droppings, and if contact is made, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.

5.         MOH continues to maintain close contact with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and our overseas counterparts to monitor the situation closely and ensure that public health is safeguarded. All hospitals, clinics and doctors have been alerted to stay vigilant against possible suspect cases. Our public hospitals also have in place appropriate infection control measures, and suspect cases are triaged at emergency departments and as a precaution, separated from non-suspect cases to minimise any risk of transmission.

6.         As of 18 April 2013, four Singaporeans who developed respiratory illness after returning from China have been picked up by our public hospitals’ enhanced vigilance and monitoring system. All four have since tested negative for H7N9.

More information on avian influenza A (H7N9) is available at http://www.gov.sg/h7n9), or members of the public may call MOH’s hotline at 1800-2254122.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

19 APRIL 2013