Comparison of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 and seasonal influenza viral loads, Singapore.

Mean viral loads for patients with pandemic (H1N1) 2009 were ≈1 log₁₀ times lower than those for patients with seasonal influenza within the first week after symptom onset. Neither pandemic nor seasonal influenza viral loads correlated with clinical severity of illness. No correlation was found between viral loads and concurrent illness.

Comparison of the incidence of influenza in relation to climate factors during 2000-2007 in five countries.

Relatively few international comparisons of the incidence of influenza related to climate parameters have been performed, particularly in the Eastern hemisphere. In this study, the incidence of influenza and climate data such as temperature, relative humidity, and rainfall, from cities at different latitudes with contrasting climates: Singapore, Hong Kong (China), Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia), Vancouver (Canada), and three Australian cities (Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney) were examined to determine whether there was any overall relationship between the incidence of influenza and climate. Applying time-series analyses to the more comprehensive datasets, it was found that relative humidity was associated with the incidence of influenza A in Singapore, Hong Kong, Brisbane, and Vancouver.

Differing symptom patterns in early pandemic vs seasonal influenza infections.

Background: Singapore is a tropical country with a temperature range of 23 degrees C to 35 degrees C and relative humidity of 48% to 100% throughout the year. Influenza incidence peaks in June through July and November through January, though influenza cases can be detected throughout the year.

Methods: Between May 1 and July 28, 2009, a novel dual-gene diagnostic polymerase chain reaction assay targeting the hemagglutinin (HA) and nucleoprotein (NP) genes of the new influenza A(H1N1/2009) virus was specifically designed for enhanced influenza surveillance using nasopharyngeal swabs collected from symptomatic patients (including their close contacts) and returning travelers returning from influenza A(H1N1/2009)-affected areas, presenting to affiliated primary care clinics as well as the main hospital emergency department.

Outbreak of novel influenza A (H1N1-2009) linked to a dance club.

Introduction: This paper describes the epidemiology and control of a community outbreak of novel influenza A (H1N1-2009) originating from a dance club in Singapore between June and July 2009.

Materials And Methods: Cases of novel influenza A (H1N1-2009) were confirmed using in-house probe-based real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Contact tracing teams from the Singapore Ministry of Health obtained epidemiological information from all cases via telephone.

An epidemiological study of 1348 cases of pandemic H1N1 influenza admitted to Singapore Hospitals from July to September 2009.

Introduction: We reviewed the epidemiological features of 1348 hospitalised cases of influenza A (H1N1-2009) [pandemic H1N1] infection in Singapore reported between 15 July and 28 September 2009.

Materials And Methods: Data on the demographic and epidemiological characteristics of hospitalised patients with confirmed pandemic H1N1 infection were collected from all restructured and private hospitals in Singapore using a standard template and were analysed retrospectively.

Results: Of the 1348 cases, 92 were classified as severely ill (i.

Outbreak of pandemic influenza A (H1N1-2009) in Singapore, May to September 2009.

Introduction: The fi rst case of pandemic influenza A(H1N1) was detected in Singapore on 26 May 2009, 1 month after the fi rst cases of novel influenza A(H1N1) was reported in California and Texas in the United States. The World Health Organization declared the fi rst influenza pandemic of the 21st century on 11 June 2009.

Materials And Methods: Confirmed cases notified to the Ministry of Health between 27 May and 9 July 2009 were analysed.