By Zaki Amrullah, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 21 May 2009 1620 hrs
People wear masks on their way to work in Kobe, Japan.
SINGAPORE: Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan has urged the public to be more responsible as Singapore tries to prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus in the country.
Citing news that Japan has seen almost 250 infected cases to date, Mr Khaw stressed the need for Singaporeans to maintain a high level of hygiene.
Mr Khaw said: "The Japanese outbreak further reinforces our observations about this H1N1. Particularly countries like Singapore that is so heavily globalised. It's going to happen, it's a matter of time.
“But we can take comfort that so far the illness remains mild. So it doesn't mean that we should be careless about it. We should continue to be vigilant. But it also means that we don't have to be so worried.”
Mr Khaw was at My 1st Skool child care centre in Whampoa Drive on Thursday to drive home the importance of cleanliness.
A recent poll conducted by the government to gauge how Singaporeans view the influenza threat showed that almost half of the respondents would feel some degree of worry should the first case occur here.
Mr Khaw also urged those who travel to be responsible.
He said: “If you have just been travelling, and you come back and you have the symptom, please call 993. It is very important. Don't go around shopping or go to crowded clinics. Then you'll be infecting many patients there. Call 993 and we'll bring you to the hospital and check, if it is this virus. If it is, then we will treat you. And there are effective treatment.”
The H1N1 virus has infected more than 10,000 people in 41 countries to date.
From ChannelNewsAsia.com; see the source article here.
People wear masks on their way to work in Kobe, Japan.
SINGAPORE: Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan has urged the public to be more responsible as Singapore tries to prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus in the country.
Citing news that Japan has seen almost 250 infected cases to date, Mr Khaw stressed the need for Singaporeans to maintain a high level of hygiene.
Mr Khaw said: "The Japanese outbreak further reinforces our observations about this H1N1. Particularly countries like Singapore that is so heavily globalised. It's going to happen, it's a matter of time.
“But we can take comfort that so far the illness remains mild. So it doesn't mean that we should be careless about it. We should continue to be vigilant. But it also means that we don't have to be so worried.”
Mr Khaw was at My 1st Skool child care centre in Whampoa Drive on Thursday to drive home the importance of cleanliness.
A recent poll conducted by the government to gauge how Singaporeans view the influenza threat showed that almost half of the respondents would feel some degree of worry should the first case occur here.
Mr Khaw also urged those who travel to be responsible.
He said: “If you have just been travelling, and you come back and you have the symptom, please call 993. It is very important. Don't go around shopping or go to crowded clinics. Then you'll be infecting many patients there. Call 993 and we'll bring you to the hospital and check, if it is this virus. If it is, then we will treat you. And there are effective treatment.”
The H1N1 virus has infected more than 10,000 people in 41 countries to date.
From ChannelNewsAsia.com; see the source article here.
No comments:
Post a Comment