Image via WikipediaChannel NewsAsia - Friday, June 12
SINGAPORE: Singapore has confirmed three more cases of HIN1 Influenza A, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 21.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) said the 19th case is a 21—year—old woman who is a Singapore permanent resident studying in Melbourne. She returned to Singapore from Melbourne on Singapore Airlines SQ238 on June 9 at 16:15 hours. She was seated at row 46.
She developed flu symptoms while on the plane, but was not picked up by the thermal scanner as she did not have a fever then. She went home from the airport by taxi and stayed at home for the rest of the day.
On June 10, she was sent to the Communicable Disease Centre (CDC) for assessment via 993 ambulance. Laboratory results confirmed her infection at 12:10 hours on June 11.
The 20th case is a 17—year—old Singaporean who returned to Singapore from Los Angeles via Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific Airways CX717 on June 7 at 12:30 hours. He was seated at row 38.
His family member picked him up from the airport and he had stayed largely at home since his return.
On the morning of June 10, he developed flu symptoms and a 993 ambulance was called to send him to CDC for assessment. Laboratory results confirmed his infection at 12:10 hours on June 11.
MOH said for this case, no flight passengers need to be quarantined as the patient only developed onset of symptoms more than 24 hours after disembarkation and he was unlikely to be infectious during the flight. Tracing for local contacts has been initiated.
The 21st case is a 21—year—old Indonesian studying in Australia. He came to Singapore from Melbourne on Singapore Airlines SQ228 on June 9 at 22:00 hours. He was seated at row 47.
On June 10, he developed flu symptoms and sought medical attention at a GP clinic. Thereafter, he returned to his place of residence and did not go out. On June 11, a 993 ambulance was called to send him to CDC for assessment. Laboratory results confirmed his infection at 17:05 hours on June 11.
Contact tracing has been initiated for the three new confirmed cases.
In relation to the 19th and 21st cases, passengers seated at rows 44 to 48 on SQ238 on June 9 and passengers seated at rows 45 to 49 on SQ228 on June 9 who have not been contacted by MOH, should call the ministry's hotline at 1800—333—9999. All close contacts identified will be quarantined and provided with Tamiflu.
To date, another patient (7th case) has been discharged, bringing the total number of discharged patients to 13. The conditions of the remaining eight patients are stable.
MOH advises the public to avoid non—essential travel to these affected areas — Melbourne and the State of Victoria in Australia, Kobe and Osaka in Japan and Chile, USA, Canada and Mexico.
They should avoid taking public transport or taxi to minimise exposure. To help in contact tracing, the public may find it helpful to keep records of their movements, such as taxi receipts, for seven days after their return from the affected countries.
For people who are unable to avoid travelling to affected areas, they should avoid crowded areas and contact with anyone who appears unwell; maintain high standards of personal hygiene at all times by washing hands regularly and thoroughly with soap and water; cover nose and mouth with a piece of tissue when coughing or sneezing and dispose the tissue paper properly in the dustbin after use.
MOH also advises travellers who feel unwell to see a doctor as soon as possible and refrain from travelling until certified fit by the doctor.
This 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.
— CNA/so
From ChannelNewsAsia.com; see the source article here.
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