Local visitors are being scanned for flu symptoms.

Reported By:

Yoko

"It does not mean that it'll (The Influenza A/H1N1) definitely become a pandemic. But it's better to play safe and assume the worst, rather than hoping that the worst will never come, and when it does, it's too late to respond to it."- Health Minister, Mr Khaw Boon Wan

As you readers should already know, the A/H1N1 Influenza (Formerly known as Swine flu) has already killed 80 people in Mexico, and the numbers are still increasing worldwide. Border checks are being tightened as a precaution and thermal scanners have already been deployed at the arriving halls of Terminals 1,2 and 3, the Budget Terminal, Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints, Seletar Airport and Singapore's other entry points to screen arriving passengers. In a joint statement with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, the Health Ministry said that passengers arriving from the United States were being scanned by thermal scanners. Passengers with higher than normal temperature will be made to go through a full health assessment. This is all done for the health of Singaporeans and other passengers. The Health Ministry also says that the health checks are not non-intrusive and are unlikely to cause any delays. Flights in and out of Changi Airport should not be disrupted for this cause. Also, heath notices containing information about A/H1n1 Influenza are also being placed at immigration counters for all arriving passengers. Although no incidence of the virus has been reported, the Health Minister, Mr Khaw Boon Wan, said that it was "better to play safe". He also told reporters that with globalisation, reports of the virus spreading to the United States were a reason of concern. Since the Sars outbreak in 2003, Mr Khaw emphasised that developments in the health-care sector meant that Singapore was in a "much better" position to handle any outbreaks. "It does not mean that it'll definitely become a pandemic. But it's better to play safe and assume the worst," Mr Khaw said, "rather than hoping that the worst will never come, and when it does, it's too late to respond to it." Even with all these measures in place, a stockpile of Tamiflu and Relenza are at ready.What is Tamiflu and Relenza, you ask. They are drugs which, based on preliminary reports in Mexico and the US, has proven to react with the A/H1N1 Influenza virus. Mr Khaw added that the Health Ministry was monitoring the situation closely. He also advised the public to maintain high standards of personal hygiene and to limit the travels to affected areas such as Mexico and the US, if possible. Possibilities of restricting visitor numbers at hospitals as a precautionary measure will not be ruled out. However, Singapore General Hospital (SGH) has already stepped up on measures by way of tighter checks. Patients at SGH's Accident and Emergency department, as well as out-patient clinics, will be asked to alert staff if they have recently travelled to areas affected by the A/H1N1 Influenza. Visitors with similar travel history will also be advised not to visit patients and to seek medical attention immediately if they are feeling unwell. The health-care sector is not the only one beefing up measures against the virus. The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) is ensuring that all incoming pork products are tested for for the virus even though the virus is not spread through consumption and eating properly handled and cooked pork is safe. Although pork imports from the US contribute to 10 per cent of the total imported pork and pork products, pigs import are from AVA-accredited farms located at Pulau Bulan, near Batam in Indonesia. AVA said that surveillance testing these porks will be stepped up to ensure that they are not infected with the virus. The AVA is also in contact with its counterparts in the US, and are working closely with the Health Ministry and other authorities. Even though no pork or pork products are imported from Mexico, the Health Ministry urges all medical staffs to be on alert for any suspected human cases. Members of the public are also advised to consult a doctor if they develop symptoms of A/H1N1 Influenza within 7 days of travel to Mexico, California, Texas and Kansas.

Labels: reports

Local visitors are being scanned for flu symptoms.

Reported By:

Yoko

"It does not mean that it'll (The Influenza A/H1N1) definitely become a pandemic. But it's better to play safe and assume the worst, rather than hoping that the worst will never come, and when it does, it's too late to respond to it."- Health Minister, Mr Khaw Boon Wan

As you readers should already know, the A/H1N1 Influenza (Formerly known as Swine flu) has already killed 80 people in Mexico, and the numbers are still increasing worldwide. Border checks are being tightened as a precaution and thermal scanners have already been deployed at the arriving halls of Terminals 1,2 and 3, the Budget Terminal, Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints, Seletar Airport and Singapore's other entry points to screen arriving passengers. In a joint statement with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, the Health Ministry said that passengers arriving from the United States were being scanned by thermal scanners. Passengers with higher than normal temperature will be made to go through a full health assessment. This is all done for the health of Singaporeans and other passengers. The Health Ministry also says that the health checks are not non-intrusive and are unlikely to cause any delays. Flights in and out of Changi Airport should not be disrupted for this cause. Also, heath notices containing information about A/H1n1 Influenza are also being placed at immigration counters for all arriving passengers. Although no incidence of the virus has been reported, the Health Minister, Mr Khaw Boon Wan, said that it was "better to play safe". He also told reporters that with globalisation, reports of the virus spreading to the United States were a reason of concern. Since the Sars outbreak in 2003, Mr Khaw emphasised that developments in the health-care sector meant that Singapore was in a "much better" position to handle any outbreaks. "It does not mean that it'll definitely become a pandemic. But it's better to play safe and assume the worst," Mr Khaw said, "rather than hoping that the worst will never come, and when it does, it's too late to respond to it." Even with all these measures in place, a stockpile of Tamiflu and Relenza are at ready.What is Tamiflu and Relenza, you ask. They are drugs which, based on preliminary reports in Mexico and the US, has proven to react with the A/H1N1 Influenza virus. Mr Khaw added that the Health Ministry was monitoring the situation closely. He also advised the public to maintain high standards of personal hygiene and to limit the travels to affected areas such as Mexico and the US, if possible. Possibilities of restricting visitor numbers at hospitals as a precautionary measure will not be ruled out. However, Singapore General Hospital (SGH) has already stepped up on measures by way of tighter checks. Patients at SGH's Accident and Emergency department, as well as out-patient clinics, will be asked to alert staff if they have recently travelled to areas affected by the A/H1N1 Influenza. Visitors with similar travel history will also be advised not to visit patients and to seek medical attention immediately if they are feeling unwell. The health-care sector is not the only one beefing up measures against the virus. The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) is ensuring that all incoming pork products are tested for for the virus even though the virus is not spread through consumption and eating properly handled and cooked pork is safe. Although pork imports from the US contribute to 10 per cent of the total imported pork and pork products, pigs import are from AVA-accredited farms located at Pulau Bulan, near Batam in Indonesia. AVA said that surveillance testing these porks will be stepped up to ensure that they are not infected with the virus. The AVA is also in contact with its counterparts in the US, and are working closely with the Health Ministry and other authorities. Even though no pork or pork products are imported from Mexico, the Health Ministry urges all medical staffs to be on alert for any suspected human cases. Members of the public are also advised to consult a doctor if they develop symptoms of A/H1N1 Influenza within 7 days of travel to Mexico, California, Texas and Kansas.

Labels: reports