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SINGAPORE: The Asian Youth Games (AYG) kicks off in Singapore later this month.
The inaugural games will have more than a thousand athletes taking part, some of them from countries with known community transmission of H1N1 flu. But the organisers say precautionary plans are already in place.
The AYG participants have been advised to get themselves vaccinated against the seasonal flu at least two weeks before they arrive, and to familiarise themselves with the current control measures in Singapore.
Upon arrival, each athlete will be issued a flu kit. Inside it include a health advisory, a surgical mask, a digital thermometer and a hand sanitiser. Athletes will also have to undergo twice daily temperature checks which will be supervised.
Participants are also advised to monitor their health closely and stay in their rooms if they are unwell.
But if flu-like symptoms develop, help is close at hand - a 23-room medical centre that has 12 isolation rooms and a pharmacy. The medical centre occupies the ninth floor of Swissotel, the athlete's village.
The centre previously consisted of eight rooms, but the organising committee has since decided to increase that number to the current 23.
20 staff including three doctors, two primary health care providers and two physiotherapists will be on hand to assist with any medical needs.
Suspect cases will be tested for H1N1 flu with a throat swab, and a dedicated ambulance service is available to ferry patients to the Communicable Disease Centre.
Singapore's Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Vivian Balakrishnan, was asked if there is any cause for concern, given the large number of foreign athletes entering Singapore which may increase the chances of importing the virus.
He said: "My position at this point in time - life has to go on. The AYG is one of the major events that has been planned a long time ago. And so long as it is safe from a medical and a public health perspective, we will proceed with the games.”
Measures are also in place at Swissotel to ensure there will be no cross-infections between hotel guests and athletes.
Senior consultant, Communicable Diseases Division, Ministry of Health, Jeffery Cutter, said: "Other hotel guests are not using the same lifts. So this already minimises the mixing. Athletes also have their own arrangements for meals etcetera."
But if a large outbreak occurs within the athlete village, organisers say they may look into providing an offsite location to care for the patients.
And they may even consider suspending or cancelling the games if there is sustained transmission among athletes.
Organisers say a moderate increase in costs has been incurred due to additional H1N1 flu measures.
They say that the health and safety of all participants at the AYG is of paramount importance and therefore they will take all necessary measures to ensure all participants have a safe and enjoyable experience at the games.
- CNA/yt
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