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SINGAPORE: Infectious disease experts said it will take another two months before H1N1 infections die down in Singapore though the number of infections are expected to slow after peaking in two weeks.
Hospitals are also beginning to see obese Singaporeans come down with severe complications from H1N1 infections.
There is a high possibility of more H1N1-related deaths in the next two weeks as the number of infections continue to climb.
The number should come down in early August as the population acquires herd immunity. But in the meantime, it is expected to put a strain on resources at the intensive care units.
Doctors said the attack rate for H1N1 infections here in Singapore is estimated to be about 40 per cent. The attack rate is the proportion of people who come down with the illness after being exposed to someone who has it.
Another increasing concern is drug resistance.
Associate Professor Leo Yee Sin, clinical director, Communicable Disease Centre, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, said: "As we use the drugs more and especially here we are using Tamiflu as a single drug because this H1N1 is resistant to the other class of medication, that means that we have to anticipate that with wider use of Oseltamivir or Tamiflu, we may encounter drug resistance as we use it."
To prevent this, doctors are asked to prescribe Tamiflu only when necessary.
Some GPs have also started to offer rapid test kits for H1N1, but experts question its efficiency.
Professor Leo added: "Commercial products for a quick and easy-use test which is what we call a rapid test is available in the commercial world. However, the sensitivity may not be fantastically high.
"And then we have to ask ourselves what is the purpose of testing. If the testing is to guide treatment, then my suggestion is to test those people that we think will require the use of Oseltamivir or Tamiflu. In my mind, it will be the at-risk population that we want to target."
Doctors said there are four groups of people at risk and they are young children, the obese, those with chronic conditions and pregnant mums. Doctors added these groups should avoid crowded places but if they must go to such places, they should wear masks.
The elderly do not appear to be in the high risk group as they have some form of immunity.
The Education Ministry said that from next week, schools will conduct temperature taking once a day for students and staff.
By August 3, daily assemblies will be resumed, but temperature taking will continue to be conducted twice a week. The ministry said schools will continue to assess the need for mass activities. - CNA/vm
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