Preparing for an influenza pandemic in Singapore.
- Author:
Jeffery CUTTER
1
Author Information
1. Ministry of Health, Singapore. jeffery_cutter@moh.gov.sg
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Antiviral Agents;
therapeutic use;
Communicable Disease Control;
Contact Tracing;
Disease Outbreaks;
prevention & control;
statistics & numerical data;
Global Health;
Humans;
Influenza Vaccines;
administration & dosage;
Influenza, Human;
drug therapy;
epidemiology;
Population Surveillance;
Quarantine;
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome;
epidemiology;
Singapore;
epidemiology
- From:Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore
2008;37(6):497-503
- CountrySingapore
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The national strategy against pandemic influenza essentially consists of 3 prongs: (i) effective surveillance, (ii) mitigation of the pandemic's impact, and (iii) render the population immune through vaccination. When the pandemic hits Singapore, the response plan aims to achieve the following 3 outcomes: (i) maintenance of essential services to limit social and economic disruption, (ii) reduction of morbidity and mortality through antiviral treatment, and (iii) slow and limit the spread of influenza to reduce the surge on healthcare services. The biggest challenge will come from managing the surge of demand on healthcare services. A high level of preparedness will help healthcare services better cope with the surge.