Singapore

Airlines Are Taking Actions To Protect Passengers

Don Hackett — Sun, 08 Mar 2020 01:47:35 +0000

Reviewer:

‘We are in the business of serving people and in the midst of this coronavirus outbreak, it's important that we give you as much flexibility as possible when planning your next trip,’ said Oscar Munoz, CEO of United Airlines.

‘But it's also important that we give you as much information as possible about the procedures we follow to clean our aircraft and maintain a sanitary environment once we're in the air,’ said this email distributed late on March 6, 2020.

‘Our teams are in daily contact with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to ensure the actions we're taking are comprehensive and appropriate.’

‘Our team of in-house medical experts and industrial hygienists oversee our aircraft cleaning procedures to ensure they meet or exceed all CDC guidelines.’

‘Hard surfaces such as lavatories, tray tables, window shades, and armrests are thoroughly wiped down with a high-grade disinfectant and multi-purpose cleaner.’

This is important since a study published in JAMA on March 4, 2020, found ‘toilet bowl and sink’ samples were positive for this coronavirus.

Munoz continued saying ‘And when we are advised by the CDC of a person who has traveled on board and is potentially exhibiting coronavirus symptoms, that aircraft is taken out of service and sent through a full decontamination process that includes our standard cleaning procedures plus washing ceilings and overhead bins and scrubbing the interior.’

This is important since the EPA released a list of EPA-registered disinfectant products that have qualified for use against SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 disease. According to the EPA, coronaviruses are enveloped viruses, meaning they are one of the easiest types of viruses to eliminate with the appropriate disinfectant product.

And, ‘We're also adjusting our inflight service to limit person-to-person contamination. This includes handing beverages directly to customers instead of allowing customers to touch a tray and ensuring all flight attendants wear gloves during service.’

This is important since the CDC indicates the SARS virus can spread within 3 to 6 feet.

In addition, the CDC advised flight crews on a flight with a passenger who is ill with a fever or respiratory symptoms, and who is traveling from an area in which COVID-19 disease cases have been reported, should follow additional precautions, such as:

keep the ill person separated from others, and
have that passenger wear a surgical mask to reduce the number of droplets coughed into the air.

While the available information so far suggests that most COVID-19 disease cases are mild, older people and those with underlying health conditions, seem to be at greater risk of serious illness, says the CDC.

As of the afternoon on March 7, 2020, about 105,000 cases of SARS-CoV-2 has been reported, and 3,500 COVID-19 disease-related fatalities, by 91 countries.

This advice indicates airlines should pay close attention to the needs of these passengers.

The CDC has issued various Travel Alerts indicating which countries people should avoid visiting while the SARS-CoV-2 virus is spreading.

Note: United and United Express operate approximately 4,900 flights a day to 362 airports across 6 continents. In 2019, United operated more than 1.7 million flights carrying more than 162 million customers.

Coronavirus travel news is published by Vax-Before-Travel.

Sub Title:

Oscar Munoz says United Airlines maintains a sanitary environment at the gate and in the air

References:

United Airlines

CDC: Guidance for Cleaning, Disinfection, and Waste Disposal in Commerical Passenger Aircraft

CDC: SARS: Guidance for Airline Personnel

CDC Says ‘Expect Additional COVID-19 Cases'

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Google News Keywords:

health, vaccines, vaccinations, travel and coronavirus, covid-19, saes-cov-2 vaccines

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Zika Virus Returns to Malaysia

Don Hackett — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 20:37:38 +0000

Reviewer:

Danielle Reiter, RN

The Malaysia Health Ministry confirmed with the Perak Health Department that a local man has been infected with the Zika virus.

According to reporting by New Strait Times on October 12, 2019, Datuk Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah, Director General of Health, Ministry of Health, Malaysia, said ‘that this person was the first victim to be infected by the (Zika) virus this year.’

“The ministry’s disease control division confirmed the virus to be Zika. And, the patient is still warded and is stable,” he added.

Control measures have been carried out by the Perak district Health Office such as issuing a Section 8 Notice to clean up high-risk breeding grounds,” he added.

Perak is one of the 13 states of Malaysia, which has a population of about 32 million people.

Though the Zika virus is not lethal, and usually causes light fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis, with symptoms usually lasting under a week, the danger lies with a type of deformity that the Zika virus can affect babies.

Zika is spread mostly by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito (Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus). Zika can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus. And, Zika can be passed through sex from a person who has Zika to his or her sex partners.

As of October 2019, there is not a preventive vaccine available.

Malaysia recorded its first case of Zika infection on September 1, 2016.

Also in 2016, the World Health Organization declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern over major worries regarding an association between the Zika disease and microcephaly and other neurological disorders in the epidemic region of Latin America and the Pacific Islands.

Singapore, a neighboring country, also reported its first minor Zika epidemic in 2016.

And, as of September 13, 2019, the National Environment Agency confirmed 3 cases of locally-transmitted Zika virus infections. This brings the total number of Zika cases to 10 during 2019.

The last cluster of Zika cases in Singapore was in July 2017.

However, no Zika outbreak has been reported in Malaysia to date.

A February 2019 study aimed to discuss all confirmed cases captured under the Malaysia Zika surveillance system and explore why Malaysia did not suffer a similar ZIKV outbreak as the other two countries.

This observational study found only 8 out of 4,043 cases tested positive for ZIKV infection.

Despite similar ecological background characteristics, Malaysia was not as affected by Singapore’s outbreak.

This could be related to pre-existing immunity against Zika in this population, which developed after the first introduction of the Zika virus in Malaysia decades ago, concluded these researchers.

This hypothesis will soon be answered by a study conducted by Malaysia MOH.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its travel vaccination suggestions for Malaysia on August 2, 2019.

Zika information published by Zika News

Sub Title:

Malaysian Perak Health Department confirmed a man has been infected with the Zika virus

References:

Ministry confirms 30-year-old man in Perak has Zika

Zika cluster in Serangoon Gardens: What you need to know about the virus

Zika virus infection in Malaysia: an epidemiological, clinical and virological analysis

CDC: Health Information for Travelers to Malaysia

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Google News Keywords:

health, vaccines, vaccinations, zika infections, zika birth defects, pregnant and zika, mosquitoes

4 Locally-Acquired Zika Cases Confirmed in Singapore

Don Hackett — Thu, 19 Sep 2019 20:52:52 +0000

Reviewer:

Danielle Reiter, RN

There have been 4 cases of locally transmitted Zika virus infections in the Republic of Singapore reported over the past 2 weeks.

The Singapore National Environment Agency (NEA) said in a press release on September 13, 2019, ‘residents and stakeholders are urged to maintain vigilance and continue to eliminate mosquito breeding habitats, as there could still be asymptomatic or mild, undiagnosed cases which might result in further transmission of the virus if there are mosquitoes in the vicinity.’

With the presence of the Aedes mosquito vector in Singapore, ‘everyone must continue to maintain vigilance and play his part to prevent future localized transmission through eradicating mosquito breeding habitats in the neighborhoods,’ said NEA.

The Zika cluster is in close proximity to an 8-case dengue cluster near Bridport Ave / Cowdray Ave / Huddington Ave / Portchester Ave / Tavistock Ave in Singapore.

The 5 breeding habitats in the dengue cluster area – comprising one in a home and four in common areas/other premises – have been detected and destroyed, said the NEA.

Additionally, Singapore residents are requested to allow NEA officers to carry out inspections and indoor spraying of their homes. And, the NEA urges all residents and stakeholders to maintain vigilance and take immediate steps to eliminate mosquito breeding habitats.

It is likely that the Zika virus disease had persisted in Asia since its emergence in the 1950s, but had remained elusive, reported The Lancet in 2016.

As an example, Yap Island raised the global alert about a resurgence of the Zika virus in 2007.

Zika virus is a member of the Flaviviridae family, which includes several genetically-related arthropod-borne viruses (yellow fever, dengue, and Japanese encephalitis).

Zika virus disease is largely asymptomatic and generally of mild severity.

However, alarming findings on the strong epidemiological associations between Zika virus infection and Guillain-Barré syndrome and fetal abnormalities (Mirocephenely) were subsequently reported.

Singapore, an island city-state off southern Malaysia, is a global financial center with over 5.5 million residents.

Tourism in Singapore is a major industry attracting about 17 million international tourists in 2017.

Recently, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 2 Travel Alert regarding outbreaks of the Dengue virus in Singapore.

This September 4, 2019, CDC announcement said ‘travelers to areas of risk should protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites by using an EPA-registered insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors, and sleeping in an air-conditioned room or room with window screens or under an insecticide-treated bed net.’

During July, the US Department of State said in a statement ‘Dengue cases are on the rise in Singapore. Already in 2019, there have been more cases of Dengue in Singapore than in the years of 2017 and 2018 combined.’

Furthermore, a measle vaccination is important since Singapore is included in the CDC’s worldwide measles alert issued during June 2019.

The CDC recommends visitors to Singapore ensure they are up-to-date on several Routine Vaccinations.

And, if you are traveling from a country with risk of the Yellow Fever virus transmission and older than 1 year of age, including those who visit for 12 hours in an airport located in a country with risk of Yellow Fever virus transmission, proof of a Yellow Fever vaccination must be presented.

The Yellow fever vaccine, Stamaril has limited availability in the United States. If you need to be vaccinated before your trip, you may need to travel some distance and schedule your appointment well in advance.

Additionally, the CDC suggests Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations when visiting Singapore.

These vaccines and related medications can be found at most travel vaccination pharmacies in the USA.

Pre-trip, vaccination counseling appointments can be scheduled at Vax-Before-Travel.

Zika News articles are published by Zika News

Sub Title:

Singapore Zika outbreak coincides with an extensive Denge virus outbreak in 2019

References:

NEA Urges Vigilance As First Zika Cluster Of 2019 Reported At Hemsley Avenue

NEA: Zika Cases and Clusters

Zika virus has arrived in Singapore

Comparative Analysis of Dengue and Zika Outbreaks Reveals Differences by Setting and Virus

CDC: Health Information for Travelers to Singapore

US Depatment of State: Singapore - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions

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Google News Keywords:

health, vaccines, vaccinations, zika in singapore, vaccines for singapore travel, yellow fever, dengue, mosquitoes in singapore

GoodRx Vaccine:

dengvaxia

Singapore Aggressively Confronts 1st Monkeypox Case

Don Hackett — Fri, 17 May 2019 12:44:51 +0000

Reviewer:

Robert Carlson, MD

Danielle Reiter, RN

The Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) reported the 1st laboratory-confirmed case of monkeypox, on May 9, 2019.

Additionally, the Singapore MOH released a press statement on May 9th, offering advice for the public, and communicated which measures are being taken to minimize the risk of any potential onward transmission of the monkeypox virus.

Human-to-human transmission, while possible, is limited. A person is infectious only during the period when he has monkeypox symptoms, particularly a skin rash.

There have been reported mortality rates up to 10 percent during outbreaks, with most deaths occurring in younger age groups.

This patient is a 38-year-old Nigerian man who arrived in Singapore from Nigeria on April 28, 2019, and attended a workshop from 29-30 April, reported the World Health Organization (WHO).

He reported that he had remained in his hotel room most of the time between May 1 and 7th. Skin lesion samples were taken on May 8th and tested positive for the monkeypox virus by the National Public Health Laboratory on the same day. He is currently in a stable condition.

Based on investigations thus far, authorities in Singapore have traced and contacted a total of 23 close contacts, including 18 participants and trainers who attended the same workshop, 1 staff at the workshop venue, and 4 hotel staff who had close contact with the affected individual.

Close contacts of the affected individual were referred to NCID for further assessment and offered post-exposure prophylaxis with smallpox vaccination, which can prevent disease or reduce the severity of symptoms.

As of May 15th, 14 persons were vaccinated, said the WHO.

As a precautionary measure, close contacts have been quarantined either at home or at a designated government quarantine facility and monitored for 21 days from their date of exposure to the confirmed case. If anyone develops symptoms, they will be treated at NCID.

All other contacts, who have a low risk of being infected, have been placed under active surveillance and will be contacted twice daily to monitor their health status.

Professor Leo Yee Sin, Executive Director of NCID, said, “The risk of community spread of monkeypox within Singapore is low.”

Unfortunately, 1 of the 18 workshop participants had left Singapore for Nigeria before the patient was diagnosed. Potential sources of exposure and possible epidemiological links within Nigeria are currently being investigated, said the WHO.

To notify Americans planning to visit Nigeria, which is located on the western coast of central Africa, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 2 Travel Alert regarding monkeypox, in October 2018.

Additionally, in October 2018, there were 3 Monkeypox cases reported in the United Kingdom and 1 case in Israel.

Public Health England said in a Bavarian Nordic press release that the IMVANEX smallpox vaccine will be used to vaccinate healthcare workers treating English patients and those involved in the current monkeypox cases.

In 2003, the USA experienced an outbreak of 37 confirmed monkeypox cases in 6 states—Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

This was the first time human monkeypox was reported outside of Africa.

During the 2003 monkeypox outbreak, the CDC, along with the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices, advised certain types of people to get the smallpox vaccine.

Research suggests that the current smallpox vaccine, ACAM2000, is 85 percent effective in preventing Monkeypox when given before exposure to monkeypox.

The vaccine is made from a virus called vaccinia, which is a "pox"-type virus related to smallpox but causes milder disease. ACAM2000 cannot cause smallpox.

But, there are known side effects related to the ACAM2000 vaccine.

Monkeypox is a sylvatic zoonosis with incidental human infections that occur sporadically in parts of Central and West Africa. It is caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV) and belongs to the Orthopoxvirus family.

The disease is self-limiting, with symptoms usually resolving spontaneously within 14-21 days.

There is currently no treatment or vaccine specifically for monkeypox.

The animal reservoir remains unknown, although it is likely to include rodents. Direct contact with affected live or dead animals through hunting and consumption of bush-meat are presumed drivers of human infection.

Residents and travelers to endemic areas/countries should avoid contact with sick, dead or live animals that could harbor MPXV (rodents, marsupials, and primates) and should refrain from eating or handling bush-meat.

Any illness during travel or upon return should be reported to a health professional, including information about all recent travel and immunization history. Timely contact tracing, surveillance measures and raising awareness of imported emerging diseases among health care providers are essential to prevent secondary cases and effectively manage monkeypox cases and outbreaks.

Recent monkeypox news:

The WHO does not recommend any restriction for travel to, or trade with, Singapore or Nigeria based on available information at this time.

At this time, the ACAM2000 vaccine has been stockpiled by the USA federal government for emergencies and is strictly controlled for biodefense purposes.

The ACAM200 smallpox vaccine is not commercially available in the USA, according to the CDC.

Sub Title:

Smallpox vaccine ACAM2000 reported 85% effective in preventing Monkeypox when given before exposure

References:

Monkeypox – Singapore

CONFIRMED IMPORTED CASE OF MONKEYPOX IN SINGAPORE

2003 United States Outbreak of Monkeypox

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health, vaccines, vaccinations, singapore, monleypox, smallpox, nigeria, travel vaccines

Vaccination Requirements Expanding in Singapore

Don Hackett — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 21:42:31 +0000

Reviewer:

Danielle Reiter, RN

Robert Carlson, MD

Beginning in February 2019, the Singapore government will be enforcing stricter vaccination requirements for certain visitors.

"To ensure high vaccination coverage among all children in Singapore, foreign-born children applying for long-term immigration passes in Singapore will need to supply additional immunization verifications," said the health ministry in a media release.

According to the Ministry of Health (MOH), foreign-born children aged 12 years old and younger, who are applying for the Dependant’s Pass (DP) or Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP) issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), and the Student’s Pass issued by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), will be required to submit documented proof of vaccination or evidence of immunity for diphtheria and measles to the Health Promotion Board (HPB) for verification.

Those who wish to seek a medical exemption will be required to produce a doctor-certified document to HPB.

Vaccinations for both diseases, which are highly contagious, are compulsory for children in Singapore under the Infectious Diseases Act.

These vaccinations have been highly received by the 5.6 million Singapore residents.

For example, in 2016, the vaccination coverage was 99% for MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) and 97% for DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis) Booster dose 2 (Tdap).

Among foreign-born children, however, the number who are not vaccinated against diphtheria and measles or whose vaccination status cannot be ascertained has been increasing in recent years, said the MOH.

Singapore is an island city-state off southern Malaysia, with approximately 5.6 million residents.

In the USA, the State Department says current immigration law requires that prior to the issuance of an immigrant visa, applicants must obtain certain vaccinations, such as:

Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Influenza
Influenza type b (Hib)
Measles
Meningococcal
Mumps
Pneumococcal
Pertussis
Polio
Rotavirus
Rubella
Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids
Varicella

Only a physician can determine which of the listed vaccinations are medically appropriate for you, given your age, medical history, and current medical condition.

Certain waivers of the vaccination requirements are available upon the recommendation of the panel physician.

For more detailed information, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Panel Physician Technical Instructions for Vaccination.

Sub Title:

Diphtheria and measles vaccination soon a requirement for foreign-born children when applying for long-term immigration in Singapore

References:

DOCUMENTATION OF DIPHTHERIA AND MEASLES VACCINATION REQUIRED FOR FOREIGN-BORN CHILDREN

Important Notice to Immigrant Visa Applicants Concerning Vaccination Requirements

WEEKLY INFECTIOUS DISEASE BULLETIN

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Toddler

15 months