Singapore confirms
first case of H1N1
Posted: 27 May 2009 1033 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singapore has confirmed its
first case of Influenza A (H1N1).
The patient is currently being treated at the Communicable Disease
Centre at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) and is in stable
condition.
The patient is a 22-year-old Singaporean woman who was in New York
from May 14-24.
She arrived back in Singapore from New York on SQ25 on 26 May at
6.30am.
She began to develop a cough while onboard.
She passed the thermal scanner uneventfully as she did not have
fever then.
Later in the morning, she consulted a GP who decided to send her to
TTSH via a 993 ambulance, given her travel history.
She was immediately admitted for testing. Laboratory confirmation
of her infection was made by midnight of 26 May.
The patient has been vigilant in monitoring her own condition and
had sought immediate medical attention once she realized that she
was unwell.
Her attending GP, through his quick response in activating the 993
ambulance for the patient, had also helped to minimize the spread
of infection from this case.
The Health Ministry says it has initiated contact tracing of her
close contacts. They will be quarantined and provided with
antiviral prophylaxis.
Passengers who had travelled in the same flight and were seated in
rows 52 to 58 are urged to call the hotline at 1800-333 9999 to
enable the MOH to check on their health condition.
The MOH adds that all medical practitioners and healthcare
institutions should continue to be vigilant to suspect cases.
Singapore will continue with temperature screening for passengers
entering Singapore at all checkpoints (land, sea and air).
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.
