SIA passenger infected with measles is not linked to other cases in Singapore: CDA

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 told CNA that 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."

SIA said on Feb 20 that it was working closely with the relevant authorities on the matter. "We regret that we are unable to disclose specific details due to customer confidentiality," it added.

In response to CNA's queries later on Tuesday, SIA said that it is "monitoring the situation closely and remains guided by the relevant authorities to ensure compliance with all safety regulations".

The airline also said that it has in place a set of standard operating procedures to handle various in-flight medical emergencies, including potentially infectious diseases. 

In addition to its own procedures, it also adheres to any health measures required by the authorities at destinations.

"Any unwell customer will be attended to by the relevant medical authorities immediately on arrival," SIA said.

It added 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.