WORLD - 23 countries have officially reported 1893 cases of influenza A (H1N1)
infection. Mexico has reported 942 laboratory confirmed human cases of infection,
including 29 deaths. The United States has reported 642 laboratory confirmed human
cases, including two deaths.
Sweden and Poland joined the list of affected countries. Sweden said a woman in her 50s
who visited Chicago had tested positive for the H1N1 virus.
The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Austria (1), Canada (165), China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (1), Colombia (1),
Costa Rica (1), Denmark (1), El Salvador (2), France (5), Germany (9), Guatemala (1),
Ireland (1), Israel (4), Italy (5), Netherlands (1), New Zealand (5), Portugal (1), Republic of
Korea (2), Spain (73), Sweden (1), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (28).
There has been an increase in the number of confirmed cases in Britain, Spain, Italy and Germany. If there is a sustained spread within Europe -- as there has been in North America
-- this could trigger the official declaration of a pandemic by the U.N agency.
SINGAPORE –. Singapore will remain on “Orange” alert over the next 5 days, as NO confirmed cases have been reported. MOH announced the possibility of lowering to
“Yellow”, a lower level but more sustainable level of flu precaution, to conserve the
resources deployed. The situation will be closely monitored for any changes. However we
should remain prepared to deal with the changing threat.
Warmest regards,
Freme Travel Services / Raffles Medical Group
(Click here for Raffles Hospital HealthScreening Packages)
What is influenza?
Influenza is a viral infection. There are a total of 3 main types of influenza virus: Influenza A,
B and C. The current H1N1 and the avian flu are Type A Influenza viruses. Type A and B
are common causes for seasonal human influenza epidemics.
Influenza virus is named according to the types of proteins they are made of, namely the
H (haemaglutinins) and N (neuraminidase) proteins. There are a total of 16 H proteins and
9 of N proteins. The current flu virus causing an epidemic globally is typed as H1N1.
With the current situation of H1N1 flu, a patient is considered to have suspected H1N1 flu
infection: - 
• If the patient fulfills the criteria of flu symptoms with a positive history of travel to affected
countries.
• If the person had been in contact others infected with pneumonia (lung infection) or other
infected with flu.
Currently all patients with symptoms of flu, as stated above, should receive medical attention
regardless of whether they have positive history of contact or travel.
How does influenza spread?
• The virus spreads via droplets through coughing, sneezing
and inhalations of infectious droplets from a nearby person.
• The Influenza virus is also known to survive on hard, nonporous
surface e.g. tables or doorknobs, for up to 2 days.
Any contact with such surfaces and unknowingly using your
contaminated hands to rub your eyes, nose or mouth may
lead to an infection.
• An infected patient is infective one day before the onset of the symptoms and up to 5 to 7
days from the onset of symptoms. So an infected person can be passing his flu virus to
another before he is sick and while he is sick.
What are symptoms of influenza?
• An abrupt onset of high fever usually greater than 38 degree Celsius with chills
accompanied with a dry cough.
• Other respiratory tract infection symptoms such as running nose, sore throat, sneezing
may also be present.
• Body aches, headache, malaise and breathlessness.
Does the influenza vaccination help?
Regular influenza vaccination is recommended to protect you
against seasonal influenza. It does not protect against the
current H1N1 flu virus, but if you come down with flu symptoms
despite having had previous influenza vaccination, it will alert
the doctor that you may be infected with a different influenza
virus such as H1N1 or the avian flu virus.
