Asia and Oceania

There are confirmed human cases of Swine Flu, Influenza A (H1N1), in Singapore with confirmed human to human transmission. As of 8 September 2009 there have been 18 deaths, although this represents a tiny fraction of the number of people actually infected and most cases have been relatively mild, as elsewhere in the world. If you are suspected of having Swine Flu you may be instructed by the health authorities to quarantine yourself within your accommodation and not to travel for a set number of days.

If you develop flu like symptoms you are advised to visit your nearest 'pandemic preparedness clinic' (see map: http://www.street-directory.com/hpb.ppc/) and if possible wear a surgical mask and avoid public transport on the way there. If you are very ill (e.g. difficulty breathing, chest pain, severe vomiting) call 995 for an ambulance. Everyone should observe good hygiene practices such as regularly washing hands. 

You can check for updates on Swine Flu on the Singapore government's flu alert web pages: www.crisis.gov.sg/FLU. You should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html has further details. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on this website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk.

You may be placed in quarantine for up to seven days if you arrive in Singapore on a flight on which a fellow passenger is subsequently found to have Swine Flu. The Singaporean government advises travellers arriving from areas with community transmission of Swine Flu to monitor their health and call 993 for an ambulance should they develop flu symptoms with a fever (a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or more).

As a preventative measure against Swine Flu the temperature of all people entering Singapore at the airports, at the two bridge crossings from Malaysia and at the ferry terminals are being checked with non-obtrusive body scanners (this is not applied to those who are only transiting in the airport).  Those with high temperatures are being sent for further medical examinations.

Healthcare in Singapore is of a high quality and expensive.   Local hygiene standards are high.  You should take enough medication to cover your stay and carry it in your hand baggage.  Not all UK prescribed drugs are available in Singapore.  Some over-the-counter medications (e.g. Ibuprofen) need a prescription.

For entry into Singapore a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers (over one year of age) who, within the preceding six days, have been in or have passed through any country where yellow fever is endemic (most tropical African and South American countries - please see http://www.ica.gov.sg/page.aspx?pageid=95&secid=94 for details).

Singapore periodically suffers from smoke haze caused by forest fires in Indonesia.

Dengue occurs in Singapore; clusters of chikungunya cases have also been reported in 2008. Chikungunya and dengue are transmitted by mosquitoes and there are no vaccinations against these diseases but there are preventative measures that you can take, as advised on the National Travel Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website. For up to date information on the local dengue hotspots please see the website of Singapore’s National Environment Agency at: http://app.nea.gov.sg/cms/htdocs/category_sub.asp?cid=239

During 2008, an increase in cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) were reported compared to 2007. The World Health Organisation has advised that there is no cause for alarm and that you should take normal precautions and be vigilant about washing hands.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 4,100 adults aged 15 or over in Singapore were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.2% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%.  You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see the HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Singapore and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see the Travel Health and for food/drink hygiene see Eat and Drink Safely.

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed cases of Avian Flu in Southeast Asia but none have been reported in Singapore.

 

You should read this advice in conjunction with Avian and Pandemic Influenza, which gives more detailed advice and information.