Information on Birdflu, NUS

An outbreak of avian influenza, more commonly known as bird flu, has been reported in different parts of Asia and in our neighbouring countries. While bird flu has not spread to Singapore, members of the NUS community are encouraged to be vigilant.

This dedicated website is to keep the NUS community updated on the bird flu situation. When the National Alert Level is raised from the current Green 1 to Yellow, important information on measures undertaken by NUS will be posted on this website. Information on the nature of the bird flu virus and precautions is also found on the website.

Preventive Measures at NUS

The strategy adopted by NUS is one of early detection, isolation and containment.

Surveillance for influenza requires internal and external monitoring for virus strains and disease activity. Early detection of the novel flu virus within the NUS community requires cooperation from everybody. Those who are ill should visit the doctor as early as possible so that they can be isolated and treated. Contact tracing will be implemented. When the alert level is Yellow and above, mandatory temperature taking will be implemented. We will also increase the frequency of disinfection and cleaning.

These measures are purely preventive in nature. They may be, depending on the prevailing situation, be removed or new ones introduced.

Travel Health Advisory (dated 7 November 2005)

Many staff and students will be travelling overseas during the vacation period. In light of countries in Asia (Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and China) and Europe (Turkey, Romania, Greece and Russia) reporting influenza A/H5N1 outbreaks among poultry, we would like to bring your attention to the travel advice given by the Ministry of Health.

MOH advises travellers to areas affected by avian influenza to avoid contact with poultry such as chickens, geese, ducks, pigeons, and wild birds. Places such as commercial or backyard poultry farms and markets selling birds should be avoided. In addition, travellers should avoid handling or eating raw or undercooked poultry or foods containing uncooked poultry (including eggs). There is no evidence that properly cooked poultry or poultry products can be a source of infection.

In the meantime, NUS recommends staff and students who intend to travel to temperate countries in the Northern Hemisphere during the winter period and in Asia or who are in the high risk group as listed below to vaccinate themselves against human influenza:

Persons aged 65 years and older;
Adults and children who have chronic disorders of the pulmonary or cardiovascular systems, including asthma;
Adults and children who have required regular medical follow-up or hospitalisation during the preceding year because of chronic metabolic diseases (including diabetes mellitus), renal dysfunction, haemoglobinopathies or immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus); and
Women in the second or third trimester of pregnancy. The vaccine against human influenza is available at polyclinics and general practitioners' clinic.

Staff and students are also advised to seek medical attention early at the University Health and Wellness Centre if they develop flu-like symptoms i.e. fever, body aches, sore throat, cough and runny nose.

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