Measures to fight swine flu shift into higher gear; One-week quarantine for those who return from Mexico
By
Bertha Henson, Associate Editor
Singapore, which is still in the clear, should do its utmost to contain the virus, says Mr Khaw. With him is Professor K. Satku, the Health Ministry's director of medical services. -- ST PHOTO: LIM SIN THAI
EXPECT to have your temperature taken when you attend big events, and to be asked for your contact details when you enter office buildings.
THOSE who develop flu-like symptoms after returning from a swine flu-stricken country can call 993 for a dedicated ambulance service to convey them to the Communicable Disease Centre.
However, this service should not be abused as it could affect access to those who are in genuine need of it, stressed the Ministry of Health (MOH).
IN HOSPITALS: Warded patients will be allowed only one visitor a day. There will be temperature-taking and flu screening of visitors to all areas that carry out clinical care. Hospital staff will wear masks and gowns in all areas where they come into contact with patients.
IN SCHOOLS, WORKPLACES: There should be routine temperature checks. Those with a fever will be sent for treatment. Visitors' details should be recorded in case they need to be traced later.
Such procedures at schools, workplaces and hospitals will start now, as Singapore moves into 'orange' mode in its five-colour alert system, which progresses from green through yellow, orange, red and black.
It might well move to red soon, said Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan on Thursday, as he detailed more stringent measures to combat swine flu.
The most drastic: A week of home quarantine for those who have been to Mexico in the seven days before they enter Singapore. Non-residents will be put up in designated chalets, hotels and Housing Board flats.
They will be contacted by phone to check on whether they have developed flu-like symptoms, and whisked off by ambulance to the Communicable Disease Centre if they do.
Among those likely to be quarantined are six Nanyang Technological University undergraduates who have been instructed by the NTU authorities to return home from a university exchange programme in Mexico.
As for those contemplating a trip to Mexico, the epicentre of the swine flu outbreak, and affected areas in the United States such as New York, California, Texas and Kansas, the plea from Mr Khaw is: Don't.
So far, Singapore has been lucky not to have been invaded by the virus, he said, 'but I think it will not be long before patients or even deaths start to occur here'.
'In South-east Asia, we are the most globalised country, so the first cluster of cases in South-east Asia may very well emerge in Singapore.'
The measures are not unlike those implemented during the Sars crisis in 2003, when temperature-taking was the norm in schools and workplaces.
