Communicable Diseases Surveillance in Singapore 2008

2 January 2009

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Preface

I am pleased to present the Ministry of Health’s “Communicable Disease Surveillance in Singapore 2008” Annual Report.

The year 2008 was an eventful year. We encountered two significant outbreaks – the Hand, Foot and Mouth disease (HFMD) outbreak and the Chikungunya outbreak. Through collective efforts from our key partner – the National Environment Agency, we managed to quell the latter outbreak when it first occurred in Little India at the beginning of the year. However, after a gap of 6 months, Chikungunya reemerged locally and local transmission continued for the rest of the year. Chikungunya has since been legally gazetted as a notifiable disease under the Infectious Diseases Act (IDA).

HFMD is a common childhood infection that is endemic in Singapore. Every two to three years, we get an outbreak associated with EV71. We experienced such an outbreak in early part of 2008. We imposed stringent control measures by tightening the triggers for closure of childcare centres and pre-schools during the period of outbreak. However, there was a case of death associated with EV71 during the non-outbreak period in July 08. Fortunately, deaths from HFMD are very rare.

Globally, the risk of an influenza pandemic from influenza A (H5N1) remains a major concern. Despite substantial progress in global efforts to bring avian influenza under control, the disease in avian populations continued to spread to new countries and to new areas in countries where containment has not been successful. The importance of an effective surveillance system cannot be over-emphasised.

This report was published from the compilation of epidemiological information on communicable diseases collated through our partnership with the community of health professionals. It bears strong testimony to the long-term commitment and working relationship we have established with our medical colleagues working at the frontline in combating and minimising the threats of communicable diseases.

I hope that you will find this report useful and constructive in your field of work. I look forward to your continued support and cooperation in the national surveillance of communicable diseases.

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Foreword by Prof K Satku, Director of Medical Services [PDF, 1.91 MB]

Population Profile [PDF, 192 KB]

Overview of Communicable Diseases Situation [PDF, 98 KB]

Special Feature: Malaria and Norovirus [PDF, 322 KB]