INFLUENZA A UPDATE

WHO alert level at Level 6 (highest).
MOH flu alert remains at Yellow.

H1N1 RISK MITIGATION MEASURES AT SIM

With the rapid increase in locally transmitted H1N1 cases, the Ministry of Health is taking a more targeted and risk-stratified approach in mitigating the situation.

In line with this, MOH has lifted the requirements for temperature screening and screening for flu-like symptoms and travel history at workplaces, schools, buildings and events.

As such, with effect from 4 July 2009 (Saturday), SIM will cease all temperature screening and travel history declaration for our students, members, lecturers, staff and visitors. Temperature scanners, however, will be placed at the security counters at SIM HQ in Clementi and SIM Management House in Namly for those who would like to screen themselves should they feel there is a need to.

SIM students who are taking classes at non-SIM venues will have to adhere to the respective hosts' precautionary measures.

If you have a temperature of 37.6 degrees and above, you should leave the campus and proceed to see a doctor at the nearest polyclinic or designated Pandemic Preparedness Clinics (PPCs) immediately. The list of polyclinics and PPCs can be found on MOH website www.moh.gov.sg

Importance of Self-Vigilance and Personal Responsibility

With the lifting of monitoring measures, it is crucial that every individual exercise strict self-vigilance and personal responsibility in order to help contain widespread community transmission.

If you are ill, we strongly advise you not to come for classes till you are fully recovered and certified by the doctor to be well enough to participate in social or group activities. You should monitor your health closely, especially if you have just returned from an affected country or have come into close contact with a confirmed or suspect H1N1 case. If you are confirmed with the H1N1, you need to inform your programme coordinator immediately.

Once again, we would also like to remind everyone to maintain high standards of personal hygiene. This means turning away and covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough, and washing your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water, especially after contact with respiratory secretions, e.g. after sneezing and coughing.

Updates

As the pandemic is expected to last for a prolonged period of time, you should keep yourself updated on local and global developments.

For more information about H1N1 and the latest updates, please refer to the
SIM site www.sim.edu.sg
MOH site www.flu.gov.sg
WHO site www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html