Update on Influenza A (H1N1-2009) (2 May)

02 May 2009

*As of 30 April 2009, WHO refers to the new influenza virus as Influenza A (H1N1-2009)

As of 2 May 09, there are no human cases of Influenza A (H1N1-2009) in Singapore. Our Disease Outbreak Response System Alert status remains at ORANGE and precautionary measures are in full swing to forestall its spread to Singapore for as long as possible.

Situational Update of Cases

2. As of 2 May 2009, there have been 397 confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1-2009) reported in Mexico (with 16 deaths), 141 in the United States (with 1 death), 34 in Canada, 13 in Spain, 13 in United Kingdom, 4 in Germany, 4 in New Zealand, 2 in Israel, 1 in Austria, 1 in the Netherlands, 1 in Denmark, 1 in Switzerland and 1 in France. Hong Kong and South Korea have each reported 1 confirmed case. The case in Hong Kong is a Mexican citizen who travelled to Hong Kong, while the case in South Korea was a South Korean who had travelled to Mexico. Both patients have been isolated and there has been no reported community spread in the countries to date.

3. In Singapore, the one pending case as reported yesterday has tested negative for Influenza A.  We had no additional cases for investigations today (as of 5pm). Of the 25 cases investigated thus far, 22 cases have tested negative for Influenza A, and 3 cases tested positive for the usual circulating seasonal strains of Influenza A.

Extension of Temperature Screening to Land Checkpoints

4. Thermal scanning has been deployed at the airports and sea checkpoints, and will be rolled out at the land checkpoints on 3 May.

5. Temperature checks at the checkpoints and quarantine of travellers from Mexico will not completely prevent Influenza A (H1N1-2009) from entering Singapore. However, it enables us to take precautionary measures and reduce the risk to Singapore.

Enhanced Surveillance

6. Travellers entering Singapore with a travel history to Mexico over the past seven days will be issued a home quarantine order (HQO) which will require them to be quarantined for seven days when they enter Singapore. Travellers who are unable to be quarantined at their own residential homes, or are without a residential home in Singapore, will be quarantined in alternative housing such as government chalets, i.e., the Aloha Chalets located at Loyang. The HQO will come into effect from Monday (0001 hours from 4 May 09), so as to give those affected more time to react and prepare for the impact of the HQO. In the interim, we will conduct phone notification and surveillance for those who have arrived from Mexico in the past seven days. So far, two Singaporeans who have returned from Mexico are on voluntary phone surveillance and they are well as of date. Should evidence arise that other countries besides Mexico are exporting cases, MOH will also consider imposing similar conditions for travellers from those areas

7. Persons under home quarantine who develop symptoms will be referred to the CDC for a thorough assessment. A dedicated ambulance service (993) has been activated to convey them to TTSH Emergency Department. Any person guilty of breaking the HQO shall be liable to a maximum fine of $10,000, or imprisonment of six months, or both. In the case of a second or subsequent offence, the person will be liable to a maximum fine of $20,000, or imprisonment of 12 months, or both.

8. For travellers who are returning from other areas with evidence of community transmission of Influenza A (H1N1-2009) (i.e., states of New York, California, Kansas and Texas in the United States and the state of Nova Scotia in Canada), MOH advises them to stay at home for seven days and check themselves for symptoms of flu-like illness. They should refrain from joining mass gatherings, e.g., going to the cinemas, shopping malls, supermarkets, etc. Those who develop respiratory illness with fever (temperature > 38 deg C) within seven days after their return should put on a surgical mask and call 993 for an ambulance. They should also disclose their travel histories to their doctors.

9. MOH is also requesting all Singaporeans and travellers who stayed at the Metropark Hotel Wanchai in Hong Kong on 30 April 2009 and who have since returned to Singapore to call  MOH’s hotline at 1800-333 9999 (8.30am to 9.00pm). This will enable MOH to advise them on monitoring their own health in light of the confirmed case in Hong Kong.  

Advice from MOH

10. Members of the public are strongly advised to postpone or avoid non-essential travel to Mexico and affected areas. In the event that travel is unavoidable, the public is advised to take precautionary measures such as avoiding crowded areas and maintaining high standards of personal hygiene at all times.

11. MOH advises the public to maintain high standards of personal hygiene, such as washing hands frequently with soap and water, especially after contact with respiratory secretions (e.g., after sneezing and coughing). Those who are unwell with respiratory illness should stay at home and wear a surgical mask if possible.

12. MOH is monitoring the situation closely and will update the public should there be any new developments. For more information on Influenza A (H1N1-2009), please access MOH’s website at http://www.moh.gov.sg, call our hotline at 1800-333 9999, or visit www.flu.gov.sg.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS