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The Ministry of Health in the
People's Republic of China (PRC) has reported a total of two confirmed cases
of SARS and six suspect cases as of 25 April 2004.
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All the cases can be traced back
to a virology laboratory in Beijing. More than 400 contacts linked to the two
confirmed cases are also in quarantine or under close medical supervision. WHO
stated yesterday that the situation does not present a significant health
threat at this stage.
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Our assessment is that the
situation in PRC appears to be well contained. MOH is monitoring the situation
in PRC closely.
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Precautionary Measures in
Singapore
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1) At Borders:
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Temperature screening at the
aerobridges for all flights arriving from China and Hong Kong has been
implemented.
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Health Alert Notices are given to
these passengers (both foreigners and returning locals) to heighten their
awareness on the precautionary measures to take, and the need to observe good
personal hygiene practices during their stay/return here.
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Useful contact numbers such as the
SARS Hotline (1800-333 9999) and the SARS Ambulance (993) for referral to TTSH
are also made available on the card.
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2) At Healthcare Institutions:
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Our hospitals are also on guard
against any possible outbreak of SARS , especially from imported cases from
overseas. Doctors and health care institutions have also been alerted to look
out for patients with SARS-like symptoms who have a travel history to China,
especially Beijing and Anhui, within the last two weeks.
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All public hospitals continue to
maintain their screening of patients arriving at their Emergency Departments
for fever. All patients with fever are managed separately and all potentially
infectious patients are isolated. Health care staff in high risk areas such as
in screening areas, Emergency Departments, Intensive Care Units and isolation
rooms continue to wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
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Public Advisory
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The MOH would like to advise all
persons who have travelled to China in the last two weeks and experience
fever, cough and/or breathlessness, to call 993 (24-hour service) for an
ambulance to take them to Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) for further
assessment. They are also advised to avoid using other means of transport.
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Continued Vigilance at Tan Tock
Seng Hospital
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TTSH is the best-equipped hospital
for the medical assessment of patients suspected to have SARS. TTSH staff have
extensive experience in such medical assessment. At TTSH, they can also be
assured that their safety is well taken care of as it continues to maintain a
high level of vigilance as the SARS Screening Centre.
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The public can also be assured
that the staff at TTSH's Emergency Department is well prepared and fully
equipped with the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). At the
Emergency Department, patients are triaged and patients with
fevers/unexplained fevers/respiratory illnesses are treated separately. Those
with fevers and other respiratory illnesses are isolated until their clinical
diagnosis is clear. This is to rule out any possibility of cross infections
with suspected SARS cases.
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Source: Ministry of Health Press
Release 26 Apr 2004
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SARS situation in China
