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SINGAPORE: Singapore will take a pro—active stance should the threat of a flu pandemic surface following the swine flu outbreak in Mexico.
Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan also said the SARS epidemic has equipped Singapore with the skills to handle a similar outbreak.
Speaking to reporters at a community event on Sunday, Mr Khaw said the ability of the swine flu virus to spread from human to human makes it especially dangerous, and his ministry is monitoring the situation.
As for the virus spreading to the US, Mr Khaw said it could pose a global threat as the US is well—connected to the rest of the world.
Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said in a statement it will implement precautionary measures at Changi Airport in light of the outbreak.
From 11pm Sunday, thermal scanners will be deployed to screen passengers on flights arriving from the US. And from 8am Monday, scanners will be deployed at all three arrival halls to screen all arriving passengers.
From Wednesday, scanners will also be deployed at the Budget Terminal and Seletar Airport.
CAAS added that flights in and out of Changi Airport are continuing as normal.
Separately, Agri—Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) said in a statement that there is no danger of people contracting swine flu from eating pork or pork products.
All pork imports are being tested for the new strain of swine flu virus as a precautionary measure, it added.
Singapore does not import pork from Mexico. But since the beginning of this year, 2,700 tons or 10 per cent of total imports of frozen pork and other pork products have been imported from the US.
No chilled pork has been imported from the US. Singapore only imports processed pork products from the affected US states of California, Texas and Kansas. But AVA said properly heated processed products do not pose a risk of swine flu virus.
Singapore only imports pigs from one AVA—accredited farm located on Pulau Bulan, Indonesia. There has been no introduction of pigs from external sources into the farm.
AVA also inspects the farm regularly to ensure biosecurity measures are implemented. On—farm disease situation as well as the health of the pigs imported from the farm into Singapore are also closely monitored.
Other high—level biosecurity measures include strict access of people into the farm, as well as rigorous hygiene and sanitation practices. Pigs in the farm are also regularly vaccinated against swine influenza.
As for pig lungs — the major target organ in an animal infected by swine flu — AVA said there have been no import of pig lungs into Singapore from any country in the last three years.
Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan also said the SARS epidemic has equipped Singapore with the skills to handle a similar outbreak.
Speaking to reporters at a community event on Sunday, Mr Khaw said the ability of the swine flu virus to spread from human to human makes it especially dangerous, and his ministry is monitoring the situation.
As for the virus spreading to the US, Mr Khaw said it could pose a global threat as the US is well—connected to the rest of the world.
Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said in a statement it will implement precautionary measures at Changi Airport in light of the outbreak.
From 11pm Sunday, thermal scanners will be deployed to screen passengers on flights arriving from the US. And from 8am Monday, scanners will be deployed at all three arrival halls to screen all arriving passengers.
From Wednesday, scanners will also be deployed at the Budget Terminal and Seletar Airport.
CAAS added that flights in and out of Changi Airport are continuing as normal.
Separately, Agri—Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) said in a statement that there is no danger of people contracting swine flu from eating pork or pork products.
All pork imports are being tested for the new strain of swine flu virus as a precautionary measure, it added.
Singapore does not import pork from Mexico. But since the beginning of this year, 2,700 tons or 10 per cent of total imports of frozen pork and other pork products have been imported from the US.
No chilled pork has been imported from the US. Singapore only imports processed pork products from the affected US states of California, Texas and Kansas. But AVA said properly heated processed products do not pose a risk of swine flu virus.
Singapore only imports pigs from one AVA—accredited farm located on Pulau Bulan, Indonesia. There has been no introduction of pigs from external sources into the farm.
AVA also inspects the farm regularly to ensure biosecurity measures are implemented. On—farm disease situation as well as the health of the pigs imported from the farm into Singapore are also closely monitored.
Other high—level biosecurity measures include strict access of people into the farm, as well as rigorous hygiene and sanitation practices. Pigs in the farm are also regularly vaccinated against swine influenza.
As for pig lungs — the major target organ in an animal infected by swine flu — AVA said there have been no import of pig lungs into Singapore from any country in the last three years.
