May 27,2009 H1N1 FLU OUTBREAK

Hi All !Please note that Singapore reported its first H1N1 Case. Please ensure your maintain proper personal hygiene and consult a doctor immediately if you feel unwell.

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May 27, 2009H1N1 FLU OUTBREAK

S'pore reports 1st flu case

By Lee Hui Chieh

The patient is currently being treated at the Communicable Disease Centre at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) and is in stable condition. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND LIM
SINGAPORE has reported its first patient infected with the new A(H1N1) flu strain.
The patient, a 22-year-old Singaporean woman, had been in New York from May 14 to 24, and arrived here on Tuesday morning.
Advice from MOHSINGAPOREANS are reminded to maintain high standards of personal hygiene. This means covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough, and washing your hand frequently with soap and water, especially after contact with respiratory secretions (e.g.., after sneezing and coughing).We also need the cooperation of everyone to be socially responsible. This means staying home and avoiding crowded places (including trains, buses, offices), putting on a surgical mask and seeing a doctor if you have flu symptoms.
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While seated in row 55 on Singapore Airlines flight SQ25, she began to develop a cough, but she passed the thermal scanner at the airport later without being stopped, because she did not have a fever at the time.
Later that morning, she went to a general practitioner who decided to send her to Tan Tock Seng Hospital via the special ambulance service 993 meant for suspected Influenza A (H1N1) cases.
Laboratory test confirmed her infection at midnight on Tuesday.
The patient is being treated at the TTH Communicable Disease Centre and is in stable condition.
The Health Ministry said the patient has been vigilant in monitoring her condition and had sought immediate medical attention once she realised she was unwell.
"Her attending GP, through his quick response in activating the 993 ambulance for the patient, had also helped to minimise the spread of infection from this case," said a ministry statement..
The Health Ministry has begun contact tracing of those who have been in close contact with the patient.
They will be quarantined and given antivirals to prevent them from developing the disease.
The ministry asked passengers who had been seated in rows 52 to 58 on the same flight to call its hotline on 1800-333 9999, so that its officers can check on their health condition.
The Ministry has reminded all medical practitioners and healthcare institutions to continue to be vigilant to suspect cases.
Temperature screening for passengers entering Singapore at all checkpoints - land, sea and air - will continue.
All passengers passing through or entering Singapore are given Health Alert Notices on board their flights, advising them to monitor their own health if they have been to affected areas and to seek medical attention immediately if they are not well
Best Regards.