Risk factors for tuberculosis among close IGRA-negative contacts of persons with infectious tuberculosis in Singapore.

Objectives: Contacts of patients with infectious tuberculosis (TB) testing positive on interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) are followed up to exclude active disease. However, identifying factors that predispose IGRA-negative contacts to TB could improve screening and follow-up strategies in a medium TB burden country such as Singapore.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of IGRA-negative contacts aged ≥2 years identified during contact investigation between January 2014 and December 2022.

The yield of tuberculosis contact investigation on relapsed TB patients and analysis of associated risk factors: Singapore's experience.

The yield of contact investigation on relapsed tuberculosis (TB) cases can guide strategies and resource allocation in the TB control programme. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to review the yield of contact investigation in relapsed TB cases and identify factors associated with TB infection (TBI) among close contacts of relapsed TB cases notified between 2018 and 2022 in Singapore. TB infection positivity was higher among contacts of relapsed cases which were culture-positive complex compared to those who were only polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive (14.

An epidemiological assessment towards elimination of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome in Singapore.

Objective: In line with regional and global goals for the elimination of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), we reviewed the epidemiological situation in Singapore, based on surveillance reports on rubella and CRS, national immunization coverage and seroprevalence surveys. The aim of our review was to identify current gaps and steps taken to achieve the targets set by the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO).

Methods: Epidemiological data on clinical and laboratory-confirmed rubella cases, including CRS, notified to the Communicable Diseases Division, Ministry of Health, Singapore, from 2003 to 2013 were collated and analyzed.

Progress towards measles elimination in Singapore.

Objective: We describe the epidemiological trends of measles in Singapore in relation to its progress towards measles elimination and identify gaps in fulfilling the World Health Organization Western Pacific Regional Office regional measles elimination criteria.

Methods: Epidemiological data on measles maintained by the Communicable Diseases Division, Ministry of Health from 1981 to 2012 were collated and analysed. Data on measles vaccination coverage were obtained from the National Immunization Registry and School Health Services, Health Promotion Board.

Certification of poliomyelitis eradication in Singapore and the challenges ahead.

Introduction: This study reviewed the epidemiological trends of poliomyelitis from 1946 to 2010, and the impact of the national immunisation programme in raising the population herd immunity against poliovirus. We also traced the efforts Singapore has made to achieve certification of poliomyelitis eradication by the World Health Organisation.

Materials And Methods: Epidemiological data on all reported cases of poliomyelitis were obtained from the Communicable Diseases Division of the Ministry of Health as well as historical records.

Teacher led school-based surveillance can allow accurate tracking of emerging infectious diseases - evidence from serial cross-sectional surveys of febrile respiratory illness during the H1N1 2009 influenza pandemic in Singapore.

Background: Schools are important foci of influenza transmission and potential targets for surveillance and interventions. We compared several school-based influenza monitoring systems with clinic-based influenza-like illness (ILI) surveillance, and assessed the variation in illness rates between and within schools.

Methods: During the initial wave of pandemic H1N1 (pdmH1N1) infections from June to Sept 2009 in Singapore, we collected data on nation-wide laboratory confirmed cases (Sch-LCC) and daily temperature monitoring (Sch-DTM), and teacher-led febrile respiratory illness reporting in 6 sentinel schools (Sch-FRI).

Determinants of late-stage HIV disease at diagnosis in Singapore, 1996 to 2009.

Introduction: The delay in HIV diagnosis has been identified as a significant reason for late presentation to medical care. This research aims to elucidate the significant determinants of late-stage HIV infection in Singapore between 1996 and 2009, after the advent of highly active anti-retroviral therapies.

Materials And Methods: We included 3735 patients infected via sexual mode of transmission from the National HIV Registry diagnosed between 1996 and 2009.

International health regulations: lessons from the influenza pandemic in Singapore.

Introduction: Singapore's defense against imported novel influenza A (H1N1-2009) comprised public health measures in compliance with the World Health Organization's (WHO) International Health Regulations (IHR), 2005. We report herein on the epidemiology and control of the fi rst 350 cases notified between May and June 2009.

Materials And Methods: We investigated the fi rst 350 laboratory-confirmed cases of novel influenza A (H1N1-2009) identified from the healthcare institutions between 27 May and 25 June 2009.

Influenza A (H1N1-2009) pandemic in Singapore--public health control measures implemented and lessons learnt.

We describe the public health control measures implemented in Singapore to limit the spread of influenza A (H1N1-2009) and mitigate its social effects. We also discuss the key learning points from this experience. Singapore's public health control measures were broadly divided into 2 phases: containment and mitigation.

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.

HIV in Singapore--past, present, and future.

The first case of HIV infection in Singapore was reported in 1985. Between 1991 and 1998, the number of reported cases of HIV and AIDS increased rapidly before stabilizing from 1999. The epidemiology of the AIDS epidemic in Singapore is characterized by a predominance of male cases (seven to one) and heterosexual transmission.