Seven New Confirmed Cases of Influenza A (H1N1-2009)

14 Jun 2009

Singapore has confirmed seven more cases of Influenza A (H1N1-2009), bringing the total number of confirmed cases here to 34.  All of the 34 cases, except one who was a close contact of a confirmed case,  are imported cases with a travel history. So far, 17 patients have been discharged.  The remaining 17 patients (18th - 34th cases) are still in the hospital and their conditions remain stable.

The 28th -31st Confirmed Cases

2. The above 4 cases are related to the 26th and 27th cases (mother and son) who had returned to Singapore on 9th June after attending a wedding in Melbourne. The latest cases had all attended the same wedding in Melbourne but had returned to Singapore on separate flights.

3. The 28th case, a 52-year-old Singaporean male (father); and the 29th case, a 42-year-old female (mother) had returned to Singapore from Melbourne on Singapore Airlines SQ228  at 2140 hours on 9 June. They were seated at row 37. The father had symptoms before he boarded the plane and the mother developed symptoms while on the plane. 

4. The 30th case, a 16-year-old Singaporean female (daughter), also had symptoms on 9 June before she boarded the plane, and returned to Singapore from Melbourne on Emirates EK405 at 2350 hours on 9 June. She was seated at row 49. 

5. All three were not picked up by the thermal scanner as they did not have fever then. All three were fetched home by another daughter of the family who did not go to Melbourne. On 10th and 11th June, the daughter (Case 30) went to her secondary school, Bedok North Secondary School, to attend some activities.  On 11 June, the father went out for work almost the whole day while the mother remained largely at home.  On 12 June night,  they called the 993 ambulance and all three were admitted to CDC.

6. The 31st case is a 17-year-old Singaporean female who had returned to Singapore from Melbourne on Singapore Airlines SQ228  at 2140 hours on 9 June. She had attended the same wedding in Melbourne.  She was seated at row 62, and developed symptoms while on the plane. She was not picked up by the thermal scanner as she did not have fever then. On 10th June, she stayed at home for the whole day. On 11th June, she was out with some friends. On 12th June morning, she went to her Junior College, Raffles Junior College, to attend lessons. On 12 June night, a 993 ambulance was called and she was admitted to CDC.

7. Laboratory results confirmed infection of H1N1 of the 28th to 31st cases at 1200 hours on 13 June.

The 32nd Confirmed Case

8. The 32nd case is a 28-year-old Singaporean male who returned to Singapore from Montreal via New York and Tokyo on Japanese Airlines JL711 at 0030 hours on 11 June. He was on the same flight as the 25th case.  His parents fetched him home from the airport by taxi.  He developed symptoms on 13 June morning, and went to a polyclinic with his mother by bus.  He was then referred to CDC via a 993 ambulance. Laboratory results confirmed his infection at 1545 hours on 13 June. No contact tracing for flight passengers is needed as case developed symptoms more than 24 hours after disembarkation.

The 33rd Confirmed Case

9. The 33rd case is a 32-year-old Singaporean female who returned to Singapore from Phuket on Tiger Airways TR155 at 2300 hours on 5 June. On 9 June morning, she developed symptoms, and went out for work.  On 10 June morning, she sought medical attention at a GP clinic and was given medical leave for 2 days (from 10 June to 11 June). She returned home and did not go out for the rest of the day and on 11 June. On 12 June morning, she went to TTSH ED where she was given treatment.  A throat swab was taken from her for testing. She was discharged from ED on 12 June afternoon with 4 days of medical leave (from 12 June - 15 June) as Thailand is not on the list of affected countries.  Laboratory results confirmed her infection at 2000 hours on 13 June, and she was admitted to CDC2 at night. No contact tracing for flight passengers is needed as case developed symptoms more than 24 hours after disembarkation.

The 34th Confirmed Case

10 .The 34th case is a 6-year-old Australian female who came to Singapore from Melbourne with her mother on Emirates EK405 at 2350 hours on 12 June for a holiday.  She was seated at row 28.  She developed symptoms on 11 June while in Melbourne. She was brought to see a GP by her uncle on 13 June morning.  She was referred to KKH via a 993 ambulance. Laboratory results confirmed her infection at 2115 hours on 13 June.

Contact Tracing

11. Contact tracing has been initiated for the seven new confirmed cases. Passengers seated within the following rows 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:

- 31 - 38  and 61 - 64 on Singapore Airlines SQ228 at 2140 hours on 9 June

- 47 - 51 on Emirates Airlines EK405 at 2350 hours on 9 June

- 26 - 30  on Emirates Airlines EK405 at 2350 hours on 12 June

All close contacts identified will be quarantined and provided with antiviral prophylaxis.

MOH Advisory to all travellers

12. Given these recent cases, MOH would like to again remind travellers from infected areas to consult a doctor there as soon as possible if they feel unwell and to refrain from travelling if they have symptoms within 24 hours of their planned departure. This is to avoid infecting other passengers and putting them to great inconvenience if they have to be quarantined. This advisory is in line with the WHO’s recommendations for people who are ill to delay international travel and for people who develop symptoms following travel to seek medical attention.

13. MOH has on its website a list of countries most affected by H1N1 in terms of numbers of cases, death and known exported cases. This is updated regularly. Travellers are encouraged to review the information when making their travel plans. Where travel is unavoidable to countries considered by WHO to have sustained community transmission or to be in transition towards community transmission (USA, Mexico, Canada, UK, Spain, Chile, Australia, Japan), they should take the necessary precautionary measures, and call 993 for an ambulance should they become unwell within 7 days of their return. If unwell, they should stay at home and not go about their usual activities such as going to school, shopping or work.  Such behaviour will significantly increase the risk of causing a community spread in Singapore. 

14. For all other travellers, they should see their nearest doctor when they develop flu-like symptoms after their return. Social responsibility and high standard of personal hygiene from all of us is still the most important and practical measure against H1N1 infection. This will reduce the likelihood of their transmitting any infection to their family members, friends and the community. 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