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SINGAPORE : Singapore's Ministry of Health (MOH) said it is in close contact with Hong Kong regarding the flu situation in the Chinese territory.
The MOH said it has been informed by its Hong Kong counterpart that the recent reported deaths of three children were not related to bird flu or SARS.
However, there was evidence of influenza infection in two of the children - one carried the A/H3N2 subtype of the flu strain and the other carried the A/H1N1.
Hong Kong public health authorities said the city is in the middle of the peak flu season, which started in mid-February and is expected to last at least till next month.
In Singapore, hospitals and emergency departments have not seen an increase in the number of flu or pneumonia cases. The percentage of isolated flu cases has also remained steady at 5%.
Data also showed no upward trend in flu patient numbers at the local polyclinics.
The MOH said the predominant strain of the flu virus in Singapore is the A/H3N2 subtype, even though the Type B and the A/H1N1 strains have also been detected here.
Singapore's peak flu season extends to March every year.
The MOH advises those travelling to places with high flu activity, like Hong Kong, to keep up their standards of hygiene.
Singaporeans who develop flu-like symptoms, including those returning from countries with high flu activity, should seek medical help immediately. - CNA /ls
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