http://www.asiaone.com/Health/News/Story/A1Story20090429-138274.html
Wed, Apr 29, 2009
AsiaOne
Government has 1mil Tamiflu doses: Khaw
Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan spoke this afternoon at a press conference on the Singapore government's actions against swine flu. Below are some of the points he made:
- Swine flu is a lot more contagious than Sars (Severe acquired respiratory syndrome). Patients can be infectious even before symptoms appear. This means border control cannot be foolproof, as screening of those entering the country would not detect those who are sick but do not have symptoms.
- The government has stockpiled about 1 million doses of tamiflu. This is in line with the World Health Organisation's guidelines, which recommend stockpiling for about 25 per cent of the population.
- Tamiflu is not a vaccine. Currently, there is no vaccine for the swine flu virus. Tamiflu and Relenza (another flu treatment) is for treatment purposes and appear to be effective against swine flu if given promptly.
- The public is cautioned against taking Tamiflu as a pre-emptive measure against swine flu. Doing so may cause an adverse reaction that would lead to the drug becoming ineffective if one does come down with swine flu.
Wed, Apr 29, 2009
AsiaOne
Government has 1mil Tamiflu doses: Khaw
Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan spoke this afternoon at a press conference on the Singapore government's actions against swine flu. Below are some of the points he made:
- Swine flu is a lot more contagious than Sars (Severe acquired respiratory syndrome). Patients can be infectious even before symptoms appear. This means border control cannot be foolproof, as screening of those entering the country would not detect those who are sick but do not have symptoms.
- The government has stockpiled about 1 million doses of tamiflu. This is in line with the World Health Organisation's guidelines, which recommend stockpiling for about 25 per cent of the population.
- Tamiflu is not a vaccine. Currently, there is no vaccine for the swine flu virus. Tamiflu and Relenza (another flu treatment) is for treatment purposes and appear to be effective against swine flu if given promptly.
- The public is cautioned against taking Tamiflu as a pre-emptive measure against swine flu. Doing so may cause an adverse reaction that would lead to the drug becoming ineffective if one does come down with swine flu.
