DORSCON: Singapore is now at Alert Yellow for Influenza A (H1N1)

According to Ministry of Health, Singapore is now at Alert Yellow. The response plan allows a risk management approach appropriate to the transmissibility and virulence of the virus.

DORSCON is short for Disease Outbreak Response System and it lists out the list of responses that Singapore will take as a nation when threaten by a pandemic flu or infectious agent.

At Alert Yellow, Inefficient human-to-human transmissions of flu caused by a novel virus require a close and sustained contact to an infected person. Further spread can be prevented through public health measures to isolate cases and quarantine contacts.

Risk of import into Singapore elevated. Isolated imported cases may occur but there is no sustained transmission.

Strategy is to prevent further import of cases, and to ring fence and isolate cases to prevent spread. The focus will be to provide treatment of all cases, and antiviral prophylaxis to contacts including exposed healthcare workers.

 

• Inefficient human-to-human transmission. Requires sustained close contact.
• Small clusters of cases may occur.
• Isolated imported cases may occur but there is no sustained local transmission.
• Healthcare worker/ institution’s response - staff in high risk areas (Emergency Depts, ICUs, Triage stations) in PPE
• Public response - GREEN measures + contact particulars recorded when visiting hospitals & clinics.

For further information you can check Influenza Pandemic Readiness And Response Plan

Source: Raffles Medical Group