Eight in 10 respondents aware that personal hygiene and social responsibility are vital
By
April Chong
HALF the 542 people who took part in an online poll have confessed that they would be worried if a case of the Influenza A (H1N1) flu pops up in Singapore.
But eight in 10 said the strongest defence against the illness was their own personal hygiene and a sense of social responsibility, the survey by Reach, the Government's feedback platform, found.
Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan, who was at a Health Promotion Board event on Thursday, put out a reassuring word that even if the flu came here, there should be no cause for alarm, because it has been mild and highly treatable. Most people who get it have recovered, except for those with other illnesses or who were treated too late.
As long as effective treatment is available - and it is available in Singapore - there is less reason to worry, the minister said.
Noting that it is only 'a matter of time' before the virus appears here, he said: 'We can't avoid this infection, but I think we can surely minimise or even eliminate deaths or complications.'
Even Japan, often praised for its hygiene standards, has had cases of the new flu, reinforcing the observation that the illness spreads quickly.
But there are no plans to ban travel or close any borders with affected countries unless the situation grows more deadly. 'You have to take some risk,' Mr Khaw said, because the downside of closing the border is worse than having some Singaporeans fall ill with the virus.
Closing the border is not practical, and besides, the Influenza A (H1N1) flu is presenting itself increasingly like a seasonal flu, which occurs every year.
In Reach's online poll, two-thirds of the respondents said the flu precautions implemented by the Government are just right; one-quarter felt that there were more measures than necessary. Almost all said they thought the updates on the flu situation here were timely.
With the June school holidays nearing, the Health Ministry advises Singaporeans to avoid travelling to affected countries if possible, and to call 993 upon their return if they have flu symptoms.
