Singapore is free from bird flu. Business and social activities here continue as normal and Singapore remains a safe country to visit.

Like most countries worldwide, Singapore has strengthened its defences against bird flu as the disease continues its spread to more and more countries. The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) has a contingency plan to deal with any outbreak of bird flu in the poultry farms here. Slaughter of poultry is only done within poultry slaughterhouses under stringent conditions. In addition, the AVA has taken precautionary measures to prevent the importation of infected birds into Singapore . It also has an ongoing surveillance programme to look out for the bird flu virus in the urban and wild bird populations. So far, no bird flu virus has been detected.

Singapore is widely recognized for its high standard of public health and hygiene. With globalization, the current bird flu outbreak in other countries may trigger the next global flu pandemic. Singapore has put in place a flu pandemic preparedness and response plan that will enable us to respond swiftly and activate public health measures to protect the health of all Singaporeans and visitors . Many of these health measures are already in place, for example, enhanced disease surveillance capability, increased isolation facilities in hospitals and, stockpiles of anti-viral drugs and increasing isolation facilities in hospitals. If required, we can complement these with border control measures, so as to help reduce the spread of influenza to Singapore.

Singapore works closely with other countries in the region and elsewhere and with the relevant world health authorities to monitor and share outbreak information. Our laboratory surveillance of influenza viruses and information technology systems can rapidly detect, analyse and monitor cases of infectious diseases of concern.

Every effort is made to ensure that Singapore ’s shores are safe from bird flu. Tight surveillance and control over our local poultry population has reduced the likelihood of infected poultry and human infections from infected poultry. There are also constant reminders to the public on practicing good personal hygiene and exercising responsible social behaviour. All these help to minimize the spread of any infectious disease within our shores.

Further information and updates can be obtained from the following Singapore Government websites: www.flu.gov.sg, www.moh.gov.sg and www.ava.gov.sg You may also wish to visit the WHO website at www.who.int.