H1N1: Patient 12 took MRT to doc

Source: TODAYonline

H1N1: Patient 12 took MRT to doc

05:55 AM Jun 06, 2009

HE DEVELOPED flu symptoms while he was in Melbourne, and though he did not have a fever when he landed at Changi Airport on June 1, the 18-year-old thought to isolate himself from his family by checking into a hotel.

But then, two days later, he went to see a doctor - by taking the MRT.

As Singapore reported its 13th and 14th cases of H1N1 on Friday, more details emerged of patient No 12 who was confirmed with the virus a day before.

At the same time, the Ministry of Health (MOH) advised all passengers of Singapore Airlines flight SQ25 (from New York to Singapore via Frankfurt) on June 1 to monitor their health closely until June 8, after the tally of confirmed H1N1 cases from that flight hit six.

In its update on patient No 12, the MOH said home quarantine orders had been issued to three local contacts and 21 passengers who were on the same Emirates flight EK405.

The ministry did not say if MRT commuters who shared the train ride with him were at any risk of exposure. But on its website, the MOH defines close contacts as “persons who have sustained unprotected exposure to the confirmed case for a significant duration” - for example, more than an hour - and within a proximity of 2 metres.

According to the MOH, the teenager was met at the airport on Monday by a friend who drove him to a hotel. The next morning he took a taxi to a GP clinic, then later checked out of the hotel and went to his sister’s home by cab.

On Wednesday morning, he and a family member took the MRT to see the same GP.

But that afternoon, the MOH added Melbourne to its list of affected areas with H1N1 community transmission. The next day, the teenager was taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) by a 993 ambulance - it was not stated who had called for it.

Patient No 13 had also returned from Melbourne. The 23-year-old Singaporean developed symptoms before returning home on Thursday on SIA flight SQ238. His fever was picked up by the airport thermal scanner, and he was taken to TTSH by ambulance. Passengers on that flight seated within rows 38 to 42 are asked to call the MOH hotline at 1800-333 9999.

Patient No 14 was a stewardess on flight SQ25. Three passengers had earlier been confirmed as H1N1 patients here, while Malaysia has reported two cases linked to the flight.

While these passengers had arrived in Singapore on Monday, the 22-year-old stewardess had stopped over in Frankfurt. She developed symptoms after returning on Tuesday, and saw a GP on Thursday whereupon she was referred to TTSH.

SIA spokesman Nicholas Ionides said crew on that flight are being taken off their rosters for the virus incubation period. The plane would also undergo cleaning and disinfecting.

The MOH reminded those who become unwell within seven days of returning from affected areas to seek medical attention promptly and call 993 for an ambulance. “They should avoid taking public transport or taxi to minimise exposure.”

Got money go melbourne, go stay hotel when come back to ISOLATE himself, but took mrt to see doctor... wonderful how dumb ppl can be sometimes...

Thanks to techstuff for posting @ HWZ