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http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/about-147-residents-from/2882226.html
About 147 residents from affected Ang Mo Kio block screened for TB so far
Residents will be informed of their screening results within two weeks, according to the Ministry of Health.
By Leong Wai Kit
Posted 17 Jun 2016 21:46 Updated 17 Jun 2016 23:45
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SINGAPORE: About 147 residents and former residents of Block 203 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 have been screened on-site for tuberculosis (TB) as of 5pm on Friday (Jun 17), according to the Ministry of Health.
Another 11 residents aged five and below were given appointments for screening at the TB Control Unit, MOH added.
Residents will be informed of their screening results within two weeks.
This comes after six cases of multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis were found at the block. The Health Ministry also said on Thursday that about 70 residents from the affected block had been screened.
MOH added that public health officers and grassroots leaders have engaged more than 75 per cent of households by going door-to-door to speak with residents, and will continue doing so on Friday night.
Volunteers are also helping to spread the message.
"Usually after dinner, there is a higher chance of getting them. (On) weekends, usually some would go out with their family," said Ms Grace Teo, a volunteer in the Yio Chu Kang Zone 2 Residents’ Committee.
Volunteers not only help spread awareness of the situation, but also ask residents if they have any regular visitors, to allow possible contact tracing.
IMPORTANCE OF EARLY DETECTION
One doctor says the vast majority of those who are infected with TB may not realise that they have the disease, as they do not display any symptoms. This is known as latent TB, where germs remain inactive in the body for years until factors like low immunity worsen the condition.
The doctor says this is why some people may not see the need to be screened for TB. "I think that's the typical mindset of any individual - why look for trouble when there isn't any? But when it comes to diseases, especially infections, I would think that the earlier you detect the acquired infection, the better," said Dr Ong Kian Chung, a specialist at Mount Elizabeth Hospital's Respiratory Medicine.
Usually, blood tests are conducted first when screening for TB. If latent TB is detected, a chest X-ray is done.
However, in the current case at Ang Mo Kio, both are carried out at the same time on-site, to identify patients who have been infected.
Dr Ong added that it is easy to treat latent TB. The idea is to curb it before it gets worse.
"You're not going to see an outbreak of epidemic proportions from TB because generally, TB is a slow-growing infection," he said. "It doesn't work the same way as a viral infection like SARS, for instance. So it's not the same.
"You're not going to see a full-blown outbreak epidemic in that sense, but having said that, because it's a slow-growing chronic infection, and you have available testing currently, it would be good to do these tests while it is still available."
Current and former residents at the block can go for free on-site screening until Sunday. Those who miss it have up to the end of the month to visit any SATA CommHealth clinic.
- CNA/dl/ek
http://www.pmo.gov.sg/mediacentre/prime-minister-lee-hsien-loong-leave
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Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on leave
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will be on leave from 11 to 19 June 2016. During his absence, Mr Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security will be Acting Prime Minister.
PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
11 JUNE 2016
About 147 residents from affected Ang Mo Kio block screened for TB so far
Residents will be informed of their screening results within two weeks, according to the Ministry of Health.
By Leong Wai Kit
Posted 17 Jun 2016 21:46 Updated 17 Jun 2016 23:45
VIDEOS
PHOTOS
Please enable Javascript to watch this video
Email More
A A
SINGAPORE: About 147 residents and former residents of Block 203 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 have been screened on-site for tuberculosis (TB) as of 5pm on Friday (Jun 17), according to the Ministry of Health.
Another 11 residents aged five and below were given appointments for screening at the TB Control Unit, MOH added.
Residents will be informed of their screening results within two weeks.
This comes after six cases of multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis were found at the block. The Health Ministry also said on Thursday that about 70 residents from the affected block had been screened.
MOH added that public health officers and grassroots leaders have engaged more than 75 per cent of households by going door-to-door to speak with residents, and will continue doing so on Friday night.
Volunteers are also helping to spread the message.
"Usually after dinner, there is a higher chance of getting them. (On) weekends, usually some would go out with their family," said Ms Grace Teo, a volunteer in the Yio Chu Kang Zone 2 Residents’ Committee.
Volunteers not only help spread awareness of the situation, but also ask residents if they have any regular visitors, to allow possible contact tracing.
IMPORTANCE OF EARLY DETECTION
One doctor says the vast majority of those who are infected with TB may not realise that they have the disease, as they do not display any symptoms. This is known as latent TB, where germs remain inactive in the body for years until factors like low immunity worsen the condition.
The doctor says this is why some people may not see the need to be screened for TB. "I think that's the typical mindset of any individual - why look for trouble when there isn't any? But when it comes to diseases, especially infections, I would think that the earlier you detect the acquired infection, the better," said Dr Ong Kian Chung, a specialist at Mount Elizabeth Hospital's Respiratory Medicine.
Usually, blood tests are conducted first when screening for TB. If latent TB is detected, a chest X-ray is done.
However, in the current case at Ang Mo Kio, both are carried out at the same time on-site, to identify patients who have been infected.
Dr Ong added that it is easy to treat latent TB. The idea is to curb it before it gets worse.
"You're not going to see an outbreak of epidemic proportions from TB because generally, TB is a slow-growing infection," he said. "It doesn't work the same way as a viral infection like SARS, for instance. So it's not the same.
"You're not going to see a full-blown outbreak epidemic in that sense, but having said that, because it's a slow-growing chronic infection, and you have available testing currently, it would be good to do these tests while it is still available."
Current and former residents at the block can go for free on-site screening until Sunday. Those who miss it have up to the end of the month to visit any SATA CommHealth clinic.
- CNA/dl/ek
http://www.pmo.gov.sg/mediacentre/prime-minister-lee-hsien-loong-leave
Prime Minister‘s Office Singapore
Prime Minister‘s Office Singapore
Singapore Government
Contact Info | Sitemap
Main Menu
Home
About PMO
About Government
Media Centre
Speeches & Interviews
Press Releases
Photos
National Day Awards
Information on Medals
You are here
Home » Media Centre » Press Releases
A+
A-
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on leave
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will be on leave from 11 to 19 June 2016. During his absence, Mr Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security will be Acting Prime Minister.
PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
11 JUNE 2016
