SIA passenger infected with measles is not linked to other cases in Singapore: CDA
The passenger had flown from Cambodia, transited through Singapore for two-and-a-half hours, before boarding the SIA flight to Los Angeles.
File photo of people at the transit area of Changi Airport Terminal 1 on Dec 29, 2022.
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SINGAPORE: A Singapore Airlines (SIA) passenger who was infected with measles is not linked to any other known cases in Singapore, the country's Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) said on Monday (Feb 23).
The passenger on SQ38 arrived at Los Angeles International Airport on Feb 9, according to US media, becoming the fourth measles case in Los Angeles County this year.
CDA said it was notified of the case on Feb 20.
The infected passenger had flown from Cambodia, transited through Singapore for two-and-a-half hours, before boarding the SIA flight to Los Angeles.
Associate Professor Lim Poh Lian, group director of CDA's communicable diseases programmes, said: "Based on the onset date of his symptoms, the case had been infected prior to his transit in Singapore.
"The case had remained in the transit area at the airport throughout the time he was in Singapore, and is not linked to any other known cases in Singapore."
Assoc Prof Lim said separately on Feb 27 that CDA is working with the US authorities to conduct epidemiological investigations on the case.
"The best precaution against measles that passengers and aircrew can take is to ensure that they are fully vaccinated for measles prior to travel," Assoc Prof Lim said.
"Travellers are advised to maintain good personal hygiene, including washing hands frequently with soap, and avoiding close contact with persons who are unwell."
SIA said it is unable to disclose specific details about the case due to customer confidentiality.
The airline added that it has a set of standard operating procedures to handle various in-flight medical emergencies, including potentially infectious diseases.
"Any unwell customer will be attended to by the relevant medical authorities immediately on arrival," SIA said, noting that surgical masks are available on board its flights upon request.
Singapore recently introduced measures such as mandatory isolation, contact tracing and quarantine of some close contacts, after detecting a rise in measles infections here.
Fourteen cases have been reported in Singapore so far this year, based on CDA's latest weekly infectious diseases bulletin published on Feb 20.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus spread through droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes. It can cause serious complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis (infection with brain inflammation), especially in children younger than five years old.
The infectious period typically begins up to four days before – from the onset of the first symptoms – and up to four days after the rash appears.
CDA has said that vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles infection.
"Those who become unwell and develop symptoms including rash, fever, cough, red or watery eyes and runny nose should wear a mask, seek medical attention promptly, and inform their doctor of their travel history and any exposure to measles cases," said Assoc Prof Lim.
