Singapore raises swine flu pandemic alert from yellow to orange
By Hoe Yeen Nie, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 30 April 2009 1738 hrs
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 Khaw Boon Wan | ||||||
SINGAPORE: The Health Ministry (MOH) has sounded the orange alert for the Mexican swine flu pandemic, moving one notch up from yellow the previous day. So far, there are no confirmed cases here.
Singapore is also imposing a home quarantine order on those who have recently travelled to Mexico.
The move comes after the World Health Organisation (WHO) raised its pandemic alert phase from level 4 to level 5 on Thursday.
According to Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan, it is only a matter of time before the Mexican swine flu strikes Southeast Asia and its first case could well be in Singapore – one of the region's most globalised cities.
When that happens, Singapore should not be "shocked into panic or inaction". He said the country must be prepared for a long fight, with a very different type of enemy.
"We must not be trapped into a SARS battle mindset. As I said yesterday, we are fighting a new war. What worked during SARS may not be effective or even necessary this time round," he cautioned.
Mr Khaw also advised hospitals and Singaporeans against going into "overdrive" in their precautionary measures, lest they "exhaust themselves" even before the first wave of swine flu strikes.
MOH has said it would escalate the pandemic alert to red, should the global situation deteriorate.
Under the orange alert, infection control measures will be stepped up further. Temperature screenings and checks for flu-like symptoms will be mandatory at hospitals, and patients will be allowed only one visitor each time.
Hospital staff must also wear full protective gear in all areas with patient contact.
"All of us are participants in this war. We are not just bystanders watching the developments," Mr Khaw said.
MOH is imposing a seven-day home quarantine order on those who have travelled to Mexico in the past week. They will be monitored for symptoms of the H1N1 virus and should symptoms develop, they will be referred to the Communicable Disease Centre (CDC) for further assessment.
The health minister said arrangements would be made for non-residents to put up in chalets or hotels and to undergo phone surveillance for symptoms of swine flu.
If it is found that other countries, besides Mexico, are exporting cases, MOH may also impose similar conditions for travellers returning from those areas.
While Mr Khaw cautioned against complacency, he said Singaporeans should not get unduly stressed over the situation.
"For healthy Singaporeans or those who have not been overseas recently, get on with your life! Go out! Exercise! Bicycle! Brisk walk! Go dancing, whatever! We all know when you're active and have enough sleep, you're at your top form; you're less likely to get flu," he urged.
Of the 22 cases referred for medical assessment, one is still pending lab investigations. The rest have been cleared of swine flu.
MOH said 19 have been tested negative for Influenza A, while two are tested positive for the usual circulating strains of Influenza A.
For more information on Mexican swine flu, members of the public can access MOH's website at
- CNA/so
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