The human bird flu cases in the US occurred primarily in those who were in close contact with infected animals. - Photo: Reuters
SINGAPORE: While there are no confirmed human cases of bird flu in Singapore and the risk of contracting it is low, the Republic needs to stay vigilant and safeguard against infections, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said.
As almost all human cases of bird flu, or avian influenza, reported overseas involved close contact with infected birds and poultry, or contaminated environments, the best prevention is to avoid exposure to such sources, said the ministry.
It urged the public to avoid direct contact with wild birds and domestic poultry that could be infected with bird flu viruses.
Birds are not the only animal source of infection. There have been recent cases of humans contracting bird flu in the US after coming into contact with infected cows.
Endemic in avian populations in South-East Asia, bird flu is always a threat in the region and the mortality rate is high, said infectious diseases specialist Leong Hoe Nam.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) raised concerns in April about the spread of H5N1 bird flu, which its chief scientist Jeremy Farrar said has an “extraordinarily high” mortality rate in humans.
From 2003 to 2024, 889 cases of bird flu were reported and more than half of these, or 463 cases, were fatal. This translates to a fatality rate of 52 per cent and the deaths, caused by the H5N1 virus, were reported in 23 countries worldwide, said WHO.
“We must constantly be... vigilant, as (bird flu) can land on our shores either through migratory birds or travellers transiting through... Singapore,” Dr Leong said.
Despite the recent spate of human bird flu cases, an MOH spokesman said that avian influenza viruses have not developed the capability to easily infect humans and other mammals, nor to transmit easily between humans.
Professor Hsu Li Yang, vice-dean of global health and programme leader of infectious diseases at the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, said: “The human cases occur primarily in those who were in close contact with infected animals, be they birds or cattle (in the case of the US).”
He said the human cases of avian influenza in the US, Mexico and Australia were not caused by the same strain of virus.
“Currently, these viruses are not able to spread between humans easily, which limits the outbreak or pandemic potential,” he said.
Singapore is a stopover spot for migratory birds on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, the world’s largest migratory route stretching from the Arctic Circle to Australia and New Zealand, said Prof Hsu, but the risk of exposure to bird flu from these wild birds is minimal.
The risk of contracting avian influenza from food sources is negligible in Singapore, he said.
While bird flu viruses can be found in food products from infected animals, proper cooking and pasteurisation of milk remove any risk of infection, he added.
“The Singapore Food Agency rigorously checks sources of food imports, and local egg producers also ensure that their flocks are not in contact with wild birds,” he said.
Dr Leong said that Singapore has good and accessible healthcare facilities, diagnostic capabilities and a contact-tracing system in place.
Under the law, doctors and laboratories here are required to report suspected and confirmed human cases of avian influenza to MOH immediately so that prompt action can be taken to safeguard the public.
Travellers visiting countries with reported cases or outbreaks of avian influenza should practise good hygiene and avoid visiting live bird markets and dairy farms, MOH advises.
They should avoid direct contact with sick or dead birds and animals, and avoid consuming raw or unprocessed animal products such as undercooked meat and unpasteurised milk.
The ministry also advises anyone who is unwell to seek prompt medical treatment and to inform the doctor of his travel history and any exposure to bird flu.
For more information on bird flu, members of the public can refer to the avian influenza page on the MOH website. - The Straits Times/ANN
