There is currently a worldwide shortage of the flu vaccine. This is partly because many people in the West and other countries were mistaken that this vaccination will protect against bird flu which is now endemic among the poultry and birds. So there is a run on the vaccines which caused a temporary shortage.

Flu vaccination is not required for the general population. The jabs would be more useful for persons who are at higher risk of developing complications from influenza such as the elderly aged 65 years or above and persons with chronic heart and lung diseases.

In view of the current worldwide shortage of the vaccine, the group that would benefit most from influenza vaccination are those in these high-risk groups, in particular if they are travelling to temperate countries in the northern hemisphere.

Young and healthy persons visiting temperate countries in the Northern Hemisphere are not in the high-risk group. In healthy individuals, influenza is usually a self-limiting disease. The best way to stay healthy is to keep a high standard of personal hygiene.

As part of the Ministry's pandemic influenza preparedness plans, MOH has stockpiled Oseltamivir or Tamiflu, an anti-influenza drug. Sufficient doses of the drug are available for frontline healthcare and other personnel who are potentially more likely to be exposed to the influenza virus. MOH is continually building up our stock of anti-viral drugs to ensure there are adequate supplies should the need arise.

So far, there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission of bird flu. It is however prudent to be vigilant. The Ministry would like to advise persons travelling to areas affected with bird flu to take precautionary measures.

They should avoid contact with live poultry and birds, and consume only poultry and eggs that have been thoroughly cooked. If they develop influenza-like symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches and shortness of breath, they should seek medical help promptly. We advise that they inform their attending doctor of any travel history to affected areas or if they have been exposed to live poultry or birds.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) has an on-going crow management programme. This includes culling crows at their roosting and foraging sites, and attending to public feedback on crows and carrying out culling where necessary. NEA will continue to gather the support of all concerned, particularly food shop operators, to ensure good refuse management and deny the birds a food source.

We like to assure members of the public that table cleaning systems are already in place at hawker centres to ensure that soiled crockery and leftover food are cleared from the tables promptly. In addition, our officers remind cleaners and stallholders constantly to bag their garbage properly before disposal into the bins. Members of the public are encouraged to provide feedback to NEA should they observe any lapses in hawker centres.

AVA and NParks have an on-going surveillance programme for avian flu in wild birds at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (SBWR). AVA collects blood samples and swabs from trapped wild birds to test for the presence of Avian Influenza (AI) viruses. To date, no AI viruses have been detected. There is thus little risk of the public coming into contact with wild birds and being infected with bird flu in the Reserve. Moreover, visitors would also not come in close contact with the wild birds at SBWR. They view the birds at a distance with their binoculars and telescopes. We would like to assure the public that SBWR is safe to visit.

Nevertheless, pet bird owners must continue to ensure that their pet birds do not come into contact with wild birds. Owners should also not introduce birds of unknown origin to their existing pet birds. In addition, as a general precaution, owners should adopt hygiene practices such as washing hands thoroughly with soap after handling their birds.