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The World Health
Organization (WHO) has expressed concern over the possibility of the
avian influenza epidemics in Asia evolving into a human influenza
pandemic. |
The H5N1 subtype of influenza A is now
endemic in the region and outbreaks continue to occur in poultry in
Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. Sporadic human cases of H5N1,
directly linked to bird flu, continue to be reported. |
WHO has stated that to date, there is no
evidence of efficient human-to-human transmission of H5N1 influenza. |
However, WHO is concerned that if new,
virulent strains of influenza become as infectious as current seasonal
human influenza strains, a human influenza pandemic could ensue. There
is a need, therefore, for Singapore to raise our level of preparedness
for a influenza pandemic outbreak. |
Since Feb 2004, Singapore has established
tight surveillance and control over our local poultry population. As
such, it is less likely for a local human case of H5N1 to be from direct
contact with infected local poultry but rather for the infection to be
present in Singapore through imported human cases within days to weeks
after it emerges in the region. |
INFLUENZA (PANDEMIC) CONTINGENCY PLAN |
Being aware of the threat of pandemic
influenza is one of the key steps in improving our readiness. In a
multi-agency effort, MOH has developed a contingency plan to enable us
to respond swiftly and put in place public health measures to protect
the health of all Singaporeans. The plan aims to achieve these three
outcomes: |
- Maintain essential services in
Singapore to limit social and economic disruption.
- Provide treatment to identified
influenza cases.
- Reduce the spread of influenza in
Singapore
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Every effort will be made to ensure adequate
healthcare services (e.g. adequate hospital beds and medicines),
especially for high-risk groups (e.g. the elderly and young children).
Some of the key public health measures are already in place. These
include: |
- Disease surveillance capability.
- Maintenance of essential services to
the community (e.g. healthcare, power and water supply).
- Stockpiling of anti-viral drugs
sufficient to treat all cases with flu-like symptoms.
- Infection control measures within the
healthcare institutions, workplaces and the community.
- Rapid implementation of border control
measures to detect imported cases early, if required.
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In the event of a pandemic, our various
response measures would be calibrated depending on the alert level. The
details are elaborated in the
Contingency Plan. |
The public also has an important role to
play. They can help prevent the spread of flu through the maintenance of
good personal hygiene and being socially responsible in their behaviour,
e.g. by not going to work or school when ill. |
VACCINATION & STOCKPILING |
From previous influenza pandemics, we know
that a pandemic usually spreads in two or more waves. A second wave may
occur within 9 months of the initial outbreak. The duration of each
pandemic wave is estimated to be up to 6 weeks. |
The most effective control measure is to
immunize the entire population against the new viral strains. However,
development of pandemic influenza vaccine could take about 4 to 6
months. When vaccines are eventually developed, the supply would be
limited initially, and therefore priorities for vaccinations will need
to be established. |
Currently, there are no vaccines available
against a pandemic virus strain although research is underway to develop
a vaccine against the H5N1 influenza virus. To address this problem, the
Ministry of Health is currently exploring collaborations with vaccine
producing companies to develop these vaccines and to ensure that we
receive our supplies for the population at the earliest opportunity. |
Oseltamivir or Tamiflu, a neuraminidase
inhibitor, is currently the drug used for the treatment of Influenza A
infections. This drug is in high demand world-wide and in short supply.
Like many other countries, we have started to stockpile the drug. |
The Contingency Plan will be reviewed
periodically to incorporate new developments e.g. new vaccines as these
become available. For more details, please refer to the MOH Website on
the influenza pandemic plan and
FAQs on Influenza and the
FAQs on Avian Influenza. |
As Influenza is highly virulent and spreads
easily from person to person in confined space, each of us can play an
important part in limiting its spread by practicing good personal
hygiene and exercising responsible social behavior. |
Source:
Ministry of Health Press Release
29 Jun 2005 |