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Measures Against Influenza A |
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Saturday, 02 May 2009 |
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The Ministry of Health (MOH) have raised the alert against the Influenza A (formerly known as swine flu) to Orange on Thursday, only a few days after the Yellow alert was first issued. We are only two colour codes away from Black (meaning a pandemic outbreak). Red shall be the next phase.
While we should not over react over the Influenza A, we should not also take it too lightly.
Yesterday, we saw Metropark Hotel in Hong Kong been cordoned off and some 300 staff and guests under quarantined. There is a Mexican tourist found with Influenza A in Hong Kong now. We saw many major quarantine operations in many cities during the period of SARs in 2003. The Wholesale Centre in Pasir Panjang was also taken over by the authority then. Occupants and visitors at that centre were all quarantined. As a precautionary measure, the authority has to take such drastic measure, be it whether there were any infected person at that point of time. Surely, we do not wish that any building or establishment being cordoned off for this reason. Worst, you happen to be in that building or place and become one of the quarantines. This can be disruptive to business and our lives.
Hong Kong is a common city which many of us visit. No one knows whether any Singaporean who recently visited Hong Kong has come into contact in any form with that Mexican. It is unknown whether there is already any infected person now among us in Singapore. Who's going to help us? Nobody except ourselves. Staying socially responsible and taking measures ourselves are what MOH suggested. We have these to suggest: MAINTAIN a healthy life style to raise one's own immunity. This comes with having good personal hygiene such as washing hands before food, balanced diet with supplements, good sleep at right time and exercising 3 times per week with half hour each. KEEP your Managing Agent (at private estates) informed if someone at home have just returned from infected countries/areas or a quarantine order has been issued against someone at home. SEE a doctor if you have flu/fever or similar symptoms. STOP visitor (including Managing Agent conducting inspection), if someone at home have flu/fever or similar symptoms. AVOID meetings if you have flu or fever or similar symptoms. Your right may be exercised in writing or appoint a proxy to attend a meeting where applicable. Wear a mask, if you are expected at that meeting. FOLLOW the guidelines issued by MOH on the measures relating to the above symptoms.
Meanwhile, keep yourself updated with the latest news relating to Influenza A.
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