National Emergency Response Plan to Deal with MERS

The following question stood in the name of  Dr Lam Pin Min –

To ask the Minister for Health (a) whether there is an emergency response plan to handle the possible emergence of a Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) outbreak in Singapore, especially during this haze period and its impact on the stockpile of N95 masks; and (b) whether the Ministry has any precautionary measures for Singaporeans performing the Haj in Mecca.

Mdm Speaker, MOH continues to closely monitor the global Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS) situation. As at 7 July, WHO has reported a total of 80 cases of MERS worldwide, with 44 deaths. These cases have been reported in Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, UK, France, Tunisia and Italy. Cases in the UK, France, Italy and Tunisia were detected after returning from the Middle East. Person-to-person transmission has been documented amongst close contacts, but there is yet no evidence of sustained community transmission. Overall, MOH's current assessment is that the risk of serious public health impact to Singapore due to an imported case of the MERS infection remains low.

MOH has put in place various precautionary measures to prevent and cope with possible emergence of MERS infection in Singapore. Firstly, Health Advisory posters have been put up at the airport to alert inbound and outbound travellers to the Middle East of the MERS situation, while Health Advisory notices are also issued to travellers on flights from the Middle East. Persons who have been in the affected areas are advised to seek medical attention if they become unwell with fever and cough, and to inform their doctors of their travel history.

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Secondly, our doctors and hospitals remain vigilant to the threat of MERS in symptomatic travellers returning from affected areas. As of 5 July, a total of 51 suspected cases have been investigated locally since January 2013 and all have been tested negative for MERS. All suspected and confirmed cases will be isolated. MOH will conduct contact tracing when appropriate and all close contacts of confirmed cases will be quarantined.

Thirdly, we have also stepped up our operational readiness in the event of an imported case. For example, we have put on standby the Home Team NS (HTNS) Pasir Ris chalets as possible quarantine housing from 17 June this year. MOH is also in contact with the WHO and our overseas counterparts and will monitor the situation closely.

With the recent haze situation, we have drawn down from our national stockpile of N95 masks to augment the supply to the public. We are now in the process of replenishing the national stockpile so that we will be fully stocked should there be an outbreak of MERS in Singapore as soon as possible. In the meantime, hospitals have retained sufficient stocks of N95 masks to ensure that they would be able to safely care for patients suspected of having the MERS infection.

Precautionary measures are in place for Haj and Umrah pilgrims. MOH works closely with MUIS and has issued health advisories to pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia. All pilgrims are advised to avoid close contact with persons suffering from acute respiratory infections and to adopt good food safety and hygiene practices to reduce the risk of being infected. All pilgrims are required to go for a medical check and will receive recommended vaccinations, including an influenza vaccination, prior to their trip. There are also briefings organised for the pilgrims by MUIS as part of the pre-trip medical advice and preparations, including the health advice from MOH.

As MOH had done for the Haj last year, we will monitor the health status of all Haj pilgrims through the accompanying medical team from Singapore. In addition, MOH has established links and contacts with the Haj medical team as well as travel agents so that we can be alerted early to possible suspect MERS cases amongst our pilgrims.

MOH will continue to assess the MERS situation. Our priority remains to ensure that there are robust and well-established measures to protect and care for the health of Singaporeans.

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