Public health measures implemented during the SARS outbreak in Singapore, 2003.
Public Health
; 120(1): 20-6, 2006 Jan.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-16297416
ABSTRACT
The SARS outbreak hit Singapore between March and May 2003. Public health control measures were applied along three fronts; prevention and control within healthcare settings, community and at the borders. Nosocomial spread composed majority of SARS cases in Singapore. To prevent infection within healthcare facilities, cases were centralized in a SARS-designated hospital, a no-visitors rule was applied and movement of patients and healthcare staff were restricted. For triaging purposes, fever clinics were established. A dedicated ambulance service was used to transport possible cases to the SARS-designated hospital. Hospitals were surveyed for fever clusters. The challenge was to identify cases with atypical presentation. Effective and safe discharge criteria were established from the lessons learnt. To prevent community spread, contacts of cases were stringently traced, quarantined in their homes and monitored daily. For prompt identification of a case and to reduce the time between onset of symptoms and isolation, the Infectious Diseases Act was amended. A large wholesale market closure resulted in massive quarantine thereby limiting the spread of infection. A mass education campaign was implemented in order to educate and raise awareness of the public. At all air, sea and land points-of-entry, exit and entry screening took place that resulted in zero importation and exportation of SARS cases after implementation of screening. Coordinated effort of the cross sectional inter-ministerial collaboration and strong coordination by the Task Force and commitment from different professionals made it possible to conquer the disease.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Contexto em Saúde:
2_ODS3
Problema de saúde:
2_enfermedades_transmissibles
/
2_muertes_prematuras_enfermedades_notrasmisibles
Assunto principal:
Saúde Pública
/
Surtos de Doenças
/
Controle de Infecções
/
Síndrome Respiratória Aguda Grave
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Aspecto:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
/
Patient_preference
Limite:
Humans
País/Região como assunto:
Asia
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Public Health
Ano de publicação:
2006
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Singapura