Swine Flu FAQ

Swine Flu
Last Updated 29 April 2009

The human swine flu outbreak situation continues to evolve rapidly.

As of 28 April 2009, seven countries have officially reported cases of swine flu A (H1N1) infection. This includes the United States Government, which has reported 64 laboratory confirmed human cases, with no deaths. Mexico has reported 26 confirmed human cases of infection including seven deaths.

As of 28 April 09, there are no known cases of human swine flu in Singapore. 17 cases that were referred for further medical assessment have all tested negative.

Health Alert

On 27 April 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the level of flu pandemic alert to phase 4. A phase 4 alert is characterised by confirmed person-to-person spread of a new flu virus able to cause “community-level” outbreaks. The change to a higher phase of pandemic alert indicates that the likelihood of a pandemic has increased, but not that a pandemic is inevitable.

In line with this, Singapore’s Ministry of Health has elevated our alert level from green to yellow. This is to better brace ourselves to handle situations where there may be isolated imported cases but no sustained local transmission.

Travel Advisory

Members of the public are advised to postpone or avoid non-essential travel to Mexico. In the event that travel to Mexico is unavoidable, the public is advised to take precautionary measures such as avoiding crowded areas and maintaining high standards of personal hygiene at all times.

Upon returning from the affected area (i.e. Mexico and the state of New York, California, Texas and Kansas of the United States), members of the public should continue to maintain high standards of personal hygiene and to monitor their own health.

Members of the public who have travelled to affected places and who develop respiratory illness with fever (Temperature > 38°C) within seven days after their return should put on a surgical mask and seek medical consultation immediately. They should also disclose their travel histories to their doctors.

As part of national level measures, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has already implemented precautionary measures at Singapore Changi Airport on 26 April. Thermal scanners have been deployed at all the Arrival Halls, as well as at the Budget Terminal, the Seletar Airport and arrival halls of major ferry terminals.

Click here to view the press releases.
Click here to view FAQs on swine flu.


Related links to Swine Flu
U.S. CDC
World Health Organization & Pandemic Influenza Phases
Singapore Flu Alert System
Ministry of Health, Singapore


Source: http://www.crisis.gov.sg/flu/