Healthcare centres on alert for H7N9 bird flu virus: MOH

SJS6638 SG

Yahoo! Newsroom - Chickens are seen at a poultry farm on April 18, 2013 in Liaocheng, China. (Photo by ChinaFotoPress/ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images)

Singapore’s healthcare institutions remain on heightened alert and are prepared for the possibility of a H7N9 case, the Ministry of Health said Thursday as fears about the new bird flu strain grow.

The MOH said in a statement that seven persons in Singapore have been investigated for H7N9 but that all tested negative.

An expert from the World Health Organization (WHO) said Wednesday that the bird flu strain is “one of the most lethal” of its kind.

Since the first infections were announced end-March, China has confirmed 108 cases and 22 deaths.

On Wednesday, Taiwan confirmed its first case of the new bird flu strain, involving a man who had recently returned from working in the eastern Chinese city of Suzhou.

MOH said it will continue to monitor the situation closely for further developments to ensure that public health is safeguarded.

It also said travellers to affected areas reporting the bird flu virus should continue to remain vigilant and observe measures recommended by the local health authorities, including:

SJS6638 SG

Oh no, please don;t come. 10 years ago it was SARS, 10 years later which is now I hope we are not severely "attacked" by bird flu

Deacon Blue SG

this one is no joke. with such china people now wondering over the island, sgreans has just better be careful. someties you have to test a few times then positive, so this one can be tricky.

dman thes epeople are really troublesome, giving us trouble in all directions everytime everywhere.

i just hope we stop all poultry imports if got from 鸡瘟国.

also if our own poutry produce farm area got these 鸡瘟人 better tell them go on leave lah.

in fact i think to be safe our local poutry farms please dont employ these 鸡瘟人 lah.