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H1N1 flu cases in Singapore rise to 49
By Imelda Saad, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 16 June 2009 2158 hrs
SINGAPORE : Singapore's Health Ministry (MOH) has warned that the risk of the H1N1 flu spreading in the community has risen with the detection of two new cases.
The total number now stands at 49.
All of the confirmed cases, except one who was a close contact of a confirmed case, are imported cases with a travel history.
The Ministry noted that unlike the earlier imported cases, a number of recent cases had engaged in extensive community activities such as working, shopping and participating in mass activities since their arrival in Singapore.
Some even travelled here, even though they were unwell prior to departure.
The 48th case is a 56-year-old German man who works in Singapore as a researcher at the Biopolis. He had gone to Philadelphia, USA on May 28 to attend a conference. He developed symptoms on June 4 while he was there. He returned from Philadelphia on SQ15 via Seoul on June 8. He came in contact with several people before he was quarantined a week later.
He was seated at row 52. He was not picked up by the thermal scanner at the airport as he did not have a fever then. He took a taxi home from the airport, and stayed at home for the rest of the day.
He went to work from June 9 to 12. On the evening of June 11, he went to a function at the French Ambassador's Residence attended by about 70 persons. On June 13, he went to a shopping mall and had social activities at Clarke Quay. On June 14, he attended a concert and did more shopping. On June 15, he did not go to work in the morning and called a 993 ambulance to send him to CDC2 around noon time. Laboratory results confirmed his infection at 2140 hours on June 15.
The 49th case is a 26-year-old Indonesian man who works in Singapore.
He returned from Melbourne on SQ228 on June 14.
He was seated at row 61, and was on the same flight as the 43rd, 44th and 45th cases who were seated at row 43. He was not picked up by the thermal scanner at the airport as he did not have a fever then.
He and his friend took a taxi home from the airport. On the morning of June 15, he sought medical attention at a GP clinic, and was given two days of medical leave.
Before he took a taxi to TTSH ED, he did some shopping first. Laboratory results confirmed his infection at 2140 hours on June 15.
Contact tracing is ongoing for the two cases. Passengers seated within rows rows 59-63 on SQ228 on June 14 who have not been contacted by MOH yet should call the MOH hotline at 1800-333 9999.
All close contacts identified will be quarantined and provided with antiviral prophylaxis.
No contact tracing will be done for the close contacts on SQ15 on June 8 as the seven-day quarantine period from the last day of contact with the 48th case has passed.
The Ministry reminds travellers who have been to countries with sustained community transmission, or nearing community transmission, as well as countries that have exported cases, to call 993 for medical help if they feel unwell within seven days of arrival.
The list of affected countries can be found on the Ministry's website.
The World Health Organisation has also consistently advised against travel if one is unwell. Such behaviour has considerably increased the difficulty of contact tracing and significantly heightened the risk of community spread in Singapore.
For people who are planning to travel, they should check the MOH website for the latest update on the list of countries with confirmed cases of H1N1 so that they can make considered decisions on whether to proceed with their travel plans. - CNA/ms
H1N1 flu cases in Singapore rise to 49
By Imelda Saad, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 16 June 2009 2158 hrs
SINGAPORE : Singapore's Health Ministry (MOH) has warned that the risk of the H1N1 flu spreading in the community has risen with the detection of two new cases.
The total number now stands at 49.
All of the confirmed cases, except one who was a close contact of a confirmed case, are imported cases with a travel history.
The Ministry noted that unlike the earlier imported cases, a number of recent cases had engaged in extensive community activities such as working, shopping and participating in mass activities since their arrival in Singapore.
Some even travelled here, even though they were unwell prior to departure.
The 48th case is a 56-year-old German man who works in Singapore as a researcher at the Biopolis. He had gone to Philadelphia, USA on May 28 to attend a conference. He developed symptoms on June 4 while he was there. He returned from Philadelphia on SQ15 via Seoul on June 8. He came in contact with several people before he was quarantined a week later.
He was seated at row 52. He was not picked up by the thermal scanner at the airport as he did not have a fever then. He took a taxi home from the airport, and stayed at home for the rest of the day.
He went to work from June 9 to 12. On the evening of June 11, he went to a function at the French Ambassador's Residence attended by about 70 persons. On June 13, he went to a shopping mall and had social activities at Clarke Quay. On June 14, he attended a concert and did more shopping. On June 15, he did not go to work in the morning and called a 993 ambulance to send him to CDC2 around noon time. Laboratory results confirmed his infection at 2140 hours on June 15.
The 49th case is a 26-year-old Indonesian man who works in Singapore.
He returned from Melbourne on SQ228 on June 14.
He was seated at row 61, and was on the same flight as the 43rd, 44th and 45th cases who were seated at row 43. He was not picked up by the thermal scanner at the airport as he did not have a fever then.
He and his friend took a taxi home from the airport. On the morning of June 15, he sought medical attention at a GP clinic, and was given two days of medical leave.
Before he took a taxi to TTSH ED, he did some shopping first. Laboratory results confirmed his infection at 2140 hours on June 15.
Contact tracing is ongoing for the two cases. Passengers seated within rows rows 59-63 on SQ228 on June 14 who have not been contacted by MOH yet should call the MOH hotline at 1800-333 9999.
All close contacts identified will be quarantined and provided with antiviral prophylaxis.
No contact tracing will be done for the close contacts on SQ15 on June 8 as the seven-day quarantine period from the last day of contact with the 48th case has passed.
The Ministry reminds travellers who have been to countries with sustained community transmission, or nearing community transmission, as well as countries that have exported cases, to call 993 for medical help if they feel unwell within seven days of arrival.
The list of affected countries can be found on the Ministry's website.
The World Health Organisation has also consistently advised against travel if one is unwell. Such behaviour has considerably increased the difficulty of contact tracing and significantly heightened the risk of community spread in Singapore.
For people who are planning to travel, they should check the MOH website for the latest update on the list of countries with confirmed cases of H1N1 so that they can make considered decisions on whether to proceed with their travel plans. - CNA/ms
