The H1N1 Influenza A has been the hottest topic since the day it was identified. Although I was mentally prepared that it will sooner or later hit Singapore however, it came to me by surprise of the rapid increase of affected cases.
Would identifying ppl with fever do much help to control this Influenza, since there were reports saying that affected ppl may not necessary develop symptoms like high fever. Why would the increase of affected cases rise so fast in just a few days?
Although H1N1 is not that deadly as SARS, the spread of this virus seems easy and fast. Quoted from the Ministry of Health (sg) website: "On 27 June, Singapore has confirmed 89 new cases (366th to 454th cases) of Influenza A (H1N1-2009) today, bringing the total tally to 454 confirmed cases. In addition to these 89 new cases, 53 other cases were pending investigation yesterday. Of these 142 cases, 65 have been investigated. They comprise 34 local cases, and 31 imported cases. The remaining 77 cases are still being investigated. "
Looking at the statistics reported, it seems that almost half of the 65 cases investigated, half belongs to import cases and the other half are local cases, meaning to say, this virus is currently spreading in Singapore within our social community. Then it brings down to why our neighbour has a report of less than a 100 cases? Was it better control? or Unreport? Or it simply means, lesser travellers from affected countries are traveling to that country?
What could be done to keep the spreading under control? It all boils down to social responsibility in each and everyone of us.
Travellers who have been to affected countries should self quarantine themselves at home regardless if they develop any symptoms before or after returning. And Ministry should allow these ppl to go on "home quarantine medical leave", an additional medical leaves entitlement given to those who are returning from affected countries, as well as those who has contact with those confirmed cases. Taking our own annual leaves to self quarantine ourselves at home will only discourage ppl from reporting their traveling history or disclose their contacts with infected cases. As such, they wil continue to roam around the community and carry on with their daily activities, and rising the opportunity for the virus to spread through the community especially in Singapore where it is a small city, the spread could happen more rapidly than other countries.
If you have read the statistics report in WOH, you will realise that the no. of cases seem to have relation to the size of the country (smaller the country, huge population) and also countries that are of hot tourist or business spots. Besides that, medical treatments and technologies, social responsibilities also plays an important part why this virus could spread so widely, globally.
Airport is the first transistion point for virus to tour and travel globally. Each traveller is a potential virus carrier. Therefore, controls and checks were done at the airports but I personally feel it could be done better. I am not saying that all airports should shut down but to enforce travellers to practise better hygiene awareness or compulsory self quarantine (or home quarantine orders) for 7 days for those who returns from affected countries before they are allow to be embarking on social activities, again it also depends on each and every one of us, if we practice social responsibilties.
I have heard cases of ppl (and seen a case) who went to affected countries but came back to work (within my working environment) as usual. "It wont be me" - this is what ppl always think. And with such "optimist" or should I say, social irresponsible beings running around us, how could we better control the spread?
Althought the H1N1 Infleunza is not as deadly as SARs, it does not mean its "oke", "it's fine" to get it. The more affected cases there will be, the lesser no. of ppl coming into singapore, the more ppl will have to be self quarantined, the more events may have to be canceled, thus how could economy ever recover fast?
Be a social responsible person today, it helps the ppl around, it helps the economy, and in turn, it helps yourself.
1 comment:
The reason why corporates dont Singapore employers don't practice giving 7 days paid leave for personal travel might be because of cultural value. Most people still continue to travel to various countries for holiday, instead of having the 'social responsibility' to have staycation as an alternative. On top of that, employers don't practice benefit of adult that employees will not have ulterior motives to travel at this period of time, just to get 'free leave'.
So I guess it's pretty ok for companies implement '7 days no paid/own leave' for personal travel. But biz travelling to infected countries must still be granted additional leave for self quarantine. :)
I don't wish to be staying at some WHO-listed contagious countries though... :)
Small countries would have to have high population density to have high contagious rate, so basically cities like S'pore, HK, Abu Dhabi :{ would be on top of the list.
Great pointers you have put up :)
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