Swine flu and SQ

[Kiwi]

they start screening passengers for "flu like symptoms" in Australian airports this evening (27/4), also going to make captains report any people who are experiencing the dreaded "flu like symptopms"

That was already an Australian requirement. Every international flight landing in Australia for the past several years (probably since SARS but I'm not sure) has had an announcement on this.

I'm more concerned that I'm going to NZ where there was (in the news here in Singapore) reportedly 10 cases so far!!! (I don't eat pork but I heard that it spreads virally rather than via contact/consumption of pork)

I wouldn't worry. The only confirmed cases in NZ were people who have just spent a couple of weeks in Mexico. These people have been in quarantine since arriving in NZ. Swine flu is H1N1 - it is a form of influenza so spread the same way as normal, annual flus. Nothing to do with eating pork products.

[Kiwi]

There is still a fair bit of mystery about this virus. I wonder why the fatalities were all in Mexico but so far has not happened in the rest of world. Could be that the virus lose some of its potency will subsequent spreading?

Far too early to tell. All we can say for sure now is WHO and health authorities are taking it very seriously as precautionary measure. It appears to be worse than the normal strains of influenza that are always circulating but noone knows if it is comparable to SARS or worse - it is far too early to tell. Cases of swine flu to date are far far less than the cases of avian flu a few years ago. Remember what happened then? A big panic and then nothing.

[LionCity]

Far too early to tell. All we can say for sure now is WHO and health authorities are taking it very seriously as precautionary measure. It appears to be worse than the normal strains of influenza that are always circulating but noone knows if it is comparable to SARS or worse - it is far too early to tell. Cases of swine flu to date are far far less than the cases of avian flu a few years ago. Remember what happened then? A big panic and then nothing.

Can't disagree. In the meantime I am avoiding all social contacts and in my secure bunker. No visitors from affected countries including Kiwiland Please!

[Russ]

I am not afraid, just like during SARS.

Did not change anything other than to not travel to certain countries (not because I didn't want to but because there was too much hassle coming back)

I was actually in HK when those few Singaporeans got SARS at Metropole Hotel - and I was staying at a sister hotel of Metropole.

Was I afraid? No, pretty sure I have divine protection and if I die, I go to a better place anyway...

[Davem4]

50% off all and 75% off selected SQ award redemptions in the near future?

I book my trip tomorrow. So expect this to be announced on Friday.

[Davem4]

Can ANYONE get access to this in S'pore? I need some.

Self medication is risky, as a incorrect dose could not only be ineffective, but it could make it easier for the virus to become resistant to treatment.

[phaleesy]

Can't disagree. In the meantime I am avoiding all social contacts and in my secure bunker. No visitors from affected countries including Kiwiland Please!

Great idea! Uninfected individuals should all live in their little bubble, just like the Bubble boy. All healthcare workers treating sick patients should live in a restricted area of the country, like leper colonies in the past.

Not exaggerating but true. Some TTSH staff were treated like lepers during SARS. No one wanted them in their homes. They had no visitors. Friends (or should I say acquaintances ) were not willing to stop to speak to them.

Can ANYONE get access to this in S'pore? I need some.

Thought your *or* business was booming in LA! Are you thinking of diversifying into the pharmaceutical industry now?

Don't know about legislation now with regards to export sales of medicines. 10 years ago, foreigners could get most prescription medicines from the chemists without a prescription if they're leaving the country within 24 hours.

So if you're very nice to a Singapore pharmacist, she might sell you some.

[B727]

It's looking more serious every minute, isn't it?

[phaleesy]

Self medication is risky, as a incorrect dose could not only be ineffective, but it could make it easier for the virus to become resistant to treatment.

I would think a misdiagnosis would be more of a problem with self-medication.

[Lobster]

Great idea!

Don't know about legislation now with regards to export sales of medicines. 10 years ago, foreigners could get most prescription medicines from the chemists without a prescription if they're leaving the country within 24 hours.

So if you're very nice to a Singapore pharmacist, she might sell you some.

At least in the UK Tamiflu is not a prescription drug, it is just very difficult to buy over the counter as the government buys up all the supplies. My company has a stock of tamiflu in each of our offices globally. Unfortunately in my office there are only 15 doses and over 50 staff.

[andySYD]

CGK also had the thermal scanner on Monday morning, but being Indonesian this device was simply left on with no one watching...

[SQADL333]

Getting Worried now that it might spread to Vietnam and spent today getting Quotes on South Pacific Cruises on either Pacific Dawn or Pacific Jewel cancel the Vietnam Trip rebook on either cruise and try get a full refund for flights from Singapore Airlines Adelaide office.

[Kiwi]

Getting Worried now that it might spread to Vietnam and spent today getting Quotes on South Pacific Cruises on either Pacific Dawn or Pacific Jewel cancel the Vietnam Trip rebook on either cruise and try get a full refund for flights from Singapore Airlines Adelaide office.

There is no point in worrying until close to the date of your trip. You should have travel insurance (don't leave this until too late as could be denied cover if swine flu already declared prevalent in an area you are visiting). You should also, close to date of departure check what the situation is in the areas you intend to visit through a reputable source (eg WHO at www.who.int). Thirdly, again close to date of departure, keep an eye out on refund/cancellation/amendment policies of your travel providers (airline/cruise ship/etc) - you may be able to avoid/reduce costly impacts in many cases.

[EWR]

Swine Flu update
27 April 2009

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has implemented precautionary measures against swine flu at Singapore Changi Airport.

These measures are necessary for the well-being of all travellers in light of the recent outbreak of swine flu in Mexico and the United States.

Thermal scanners have been deployed at the airport to screen all arriving passengers before immigration checks.

Customers with higher-than-normal temperatures will undergo a more thorough medical assessment.

These precautionary checks are non-intrusive and should have no impact on the time needed by passengers to clear the various airport processes.

Flights in and out of Changi Airport are continuing as normal.

Singapore Airlines, along with the authorities, is monitoring the situation closely and assures our customers that there are measures in place to ensure the highest hygiene standards onboard all our flights.

The Ministry of Health in Singapore is advising those displaying symptoms of swine flu within seven days of travel to California, Texas or Kansas in the USA, or Mexico to seek immediate medical attention. They should also disclose their travel histories to their doctors.

Singapore Airlines will waive all cancellation and change fees for customers with tickets to the US on Singapore Airlines flights as follows:
- Valid for tickets issued prior to 28 April 2009 for travel up to and including 27 May 2009, on a Singapore Airlines flight to the US;
- Customers may change the routing of their journey, defer the date of travel until 31 Oct 2009, or cancel, without penalty;
- Any change of date or routing will be charged at the new fare for that journey less the fare for the journey paid to the US, with no amendment fee (e.g., if travel is in a higher class, or deferred to a higher season, the seasonal fare difference will still apply);
- The same conditions apply for KrisFlyer redemption tickets.

For more information and updates on swine flu, please click here.

[EWR]

Getting Worried now that it might spread to Vietnam and spent today getting Quotes on South Pacific Cruises on either Pacific Dawn or Pacific Jewel cancel the Vietnam Trip rebook on either cruise and try get a full refund for flights from Singapore Airlines Adelaide office.

Why Vietnam? It could be anywhere then