The spike, says MOH, is part of the seasonal flu trend here where an increase in
influenza cases is usually observed in the months of January and February, and May and June every year. These periods coincide with the winters in the northern and southern hemisphere respectively.

THE number of people seeking treatment for flu-like symptoms has surged, with polyclinic attendances for acute respiratory infections (ARI) reaching about 17,700 between May 2 and May 8 alone.

This was a rise of 9.5 per cent over the figure the week before, when the number of polyclinic cases was more than 16,000.

In a statement to the media, the Health Ministry (MOH) said patients with flu-like illnesses made up 5 per cent of ARI cases two weeks ago – an increase from the previous week’s 3 per cent.

A check with several general practitioners in private practice also showed that their numbers “have gone above the average”, but they declined to give absolute numbers.

Almost all the influenza cases now are likely to be caused by the Influenza A (H1N1) virus as it continues to circulate locally and globally as the main influenza strain, the MOH statement said.

Since the H1N1 outbreak in the middle of last year, about 130 patients have been hospitalised in Singapore and, of these, 25 died.

The good news, despite the surge in influenza cases, is that all the cases were mild and the H1N1 virus has not shown significant signs of mutation, added MOH.

It said the spike is part of the seasonal flu trend here, where an increase in influenza cases is usually observed in the months of January and February, and May and June every year.

These periods coincide with the winters in the northern and southern hemisphere respectively.

The Health Promotion Board launched its flu advertising campaign on Sunday to remind the public to be vigilant and to encourage vaccination as a preventive measure against flu.

The number of people going for flu jabs has increased since last month.

The polyclinics under the National Healthcare Group currently administer about 200 to 300 doses a week, while those under SingHealth have administered more than 900 doses since last month.

MOH said Singapore’s flu alert status remains green but hospitals are continuing infection control measures, such as visitor restriction, to prevent any possible cross infection.