All 17 cases involve travellers returning from countries with known community transmission of H1N1. Some of these cases proceeded with their travel and/or meetings and social activities despite having developed symptoms. -- ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
SINGAPORE recorded its largest number of new Influenza A (H1N1) flu cases in a day, with 17 new patients diagnosed yesterday.
Of the total of 66 confirmed cases here, 25 have been discharged from hospital. The remaining 41 patients are still warded and in stable condition. All the latest 17 cases were imported - six of them had returned from the Philippines with another six from Melbourne.
Three others flew here from the United States and one each from Chile and Europe. There were two five-year-old children among the new cases. The other patients were between the ages of 17 and 53. They had all returned on various flights between June 11 and June 16.
The Health Ministry said in a statement last night that seven of the new cases had proceeded with their travel, meetings and social activities despite having developed symptoms of flu. Contact tracing is ongoing for the 17 cases.
There was one patient though - a 39-year-old woman from the Philippines who works here as a maid - who wore a face mask throughout her flight back from Manila on Monday.
MOH reminded travellers, especially those who recently returned from countries considered to have sustained community spread of the virus, not to engage in activities such as working and shopping or participate in mass activities until they are well.
Meanwhile, Malaysia yesterday reported the first case of H1N1 involving a person who became infected within the country, bringing the national tally to 23, according to Agence France-Presse.
Health Ministry director-general Ismail Merican said the patient, a 17-year-old girl, had caught the virus from another patient who had tested positive last Saturday.
Australia, meanwhile, raised its H1N1 flu alert level to the newly-created 'protect' phase yesterday, as the number of cases nationwide climbed above 2,000.
Health Minister Nicola Roxon said it means only the most vulnerable would receive anti-viral treatments such as Tamiflu and those with mild symptoms must rely on over-the-counter medicines.
