Two people with travel history to US referred to CDC for swine flu tests
Posted: 27 April 2009 2138 hrs

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SINGAPORE: There are no known cases of human swine flu in Singapore although two people have been referred to the Communicable Diseases Centre (CDC) for further assessment.

According to the Health Ministry, one of them is an American from California who was detected with a higher-than-normal temperature during thermal screening at Changi Airport.

The other is a local resident who had a travel history to the United States and flu-like symptoms. He presented himself at a polyclinic and was referred to the CDC.

Preliminary tests for Influenza A - the presence of which could indicate swine flu - were negative for both the American and the Singaporean.

The ministry said all healthcare institutions in Singapore have stepped up their infectious disease control measures to handle any cases turning up at their doorsteps.

Some hospitals have advised their staff in critical areas, such as the Emergency Departments and Intensive Care Units, to don full personal protective equipment.

The ministry added that there is a system of triage in the Emergency Departments where symptomatic patients with a travel history to affected areas, or contact with such persons, will be isolated within the hospitals.

At the outpatient setting, for example - at GPs, polyclinics and TCM clinics, there is also a system where such cases will be referred to Tan Tock Seng Hospital's Emergency Department for further assessment.

MOH also recommends that hospital visitors limit or postpone their trips to hospitals where possible and maintain high standards of personal hygiene at all times.

It also advises members of the public to postpone or avoid non-essential travel to Mexico.

In the event that travel to Mexico is unavoidable, it has advised the public to take precautionary measures such as avoiding crowded areas, coming into contact with sick persons and maintaining high standards of personal hygiene at all times.