All By Myself

Tuesday, June 23, 2009
12:31 AM

Singapore changes tactics to battle H1N1 influenza
Singapore is changing its tactics to battle the spread of the H1N1 virus in view of more community transmission.
In gradually shifting the alert level from Yellow Containment to Yellow Mitigation, Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan has outlined measures which include the setting up of designated neighbourhood clinics to treat mild cases of H1N1 flu.
The signs have become more prominent – Singapore is now facing a community spread of the H1N1 virus. From just one case of local infection last week, the number now stands at over 20 – or 17 per cent of all cases – and this is expected to rise.
From the experience in Melbourne and elsewhere, we have crossed the tipping point beyond which local transmissions will grow rapidly. This may well happen this week," said Mr Khaw.
To minimise casualties, Singapore's battle tactics will have to change. For one, contact tracing will be more focused and done on a case-by-case basis.
Contact tracing of passengers who come in contact with confirmed cases in the airplane cabins will be scaled down, but home quarantine for suspect cases, as well as temperature checks at border checkpoints remain useful.
Mr Khaw said one in four cases was picked up by thermal scanners, and with more people getting infected, all public hospitals – not only Tan Tock Seng Hospital and KK Women's and Children's Hospital – are now prepared to handle cases of H1N1.
But to ensure that hospitals are not overloaded with cases, only those with severe health conditions will be hospitalised. The rest will be put on antiviral treatment and quarantined at home.
All polyclinics and a few hundred family clinics – known as Pandemic Preparedness Clinics – will be geared up to treat suspect H1N1 cases as well. These clinics, which will be distinguished with a decal, will refer only categories of high-risk suspect patients to public hospitals.

ALL BY MYSELF