Number of GBS cases fall after restrictions on raw fish dishes: MOH

The number of GBS infections reported per week has decreased from 20 since the beginning of the year to an average of three in the last three weeks, says the Ministry of Health.
Channel NewsAsia 23 Aug 15;

SINGAPORE: The number of cases of Group B Streptococcus infections has gone down since mid-July this year, following restrictions on the sale of certain types of raw fish dishes, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Sunday (Aug 23).

The number of cases of such bacterial infections reported to MOH has decreased to an average of three per week in the past three weeks, from an average of 20 cases per week since the beginning of 2015, said the ministry in a news release. The current number is similar to the baseline level before the outbreak, added MOH.

The decrease came after the National Environment Agency (NEA) advised food stallholders to temporarily stop selling raw fish dishes made using Song (Asian Bighead Carp) and Toman (Snakehead) fish, said MOH. In July, some samples of raw fish were found to contain GBS bacteria.

Some GBS patients had told Channel NewsAsia that they had painful swelling in their limbs after consuming yusheng, which is a popular raw fish dish at hawker centres.

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore investigated the entire food supply chain of these fish, MOH said. Tests have so far not detected the same strain of GBS that has been detected in humans. "Nevertheless, as a precautionary measure, NEA’s advisory to licensed foodshop and foodstall holders to withhold the sales of raw fish dishes using Song and Toman fish continues to be in place," the ministry said.

NEA, MOH and AVA will conduct further investigations. In the meantime, the Health Ministry advises vulnerable groups such as young children, pregnant women, the elderly, or people with chronic illnesses to exercise caution by avoiding raw ready-to-eat food.

GBS is a common bacterium found in the human gut and urinary tract of about 15 to 30 per cent of adults without causing disease, said MOH. However, GBS may occasionally cause infections of the skin, joints, heart and brain. Most GBS infections are treatable with antibiotics.

- CNA/xq

GBS infections fall after curbs on sale of raw-fish dishes
Today Online 23 Aug 15;

SINGAPORE — The number of cases of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infections has gone down since mid-July this year, following restrictions on the sale of certain types of raw fish dishes, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) today (Aug 23).

The number of cases of such bacterial infections reported to MOH decreased to an average of three per week in the past three weeks, from an average of 20 cases per week since the beginning of 2015, said the ministry in a news release. The current number is similar to the baseline level before the outbreak, it added.

Last month, the authorities asked eateries to suspend the sale of raw-fish dishes that use Song fish and Toman fish as a precautionary measure, after tests on samples of these species found traces of GBS bacteria.

The MOH said the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore has investigated the entire food supply chain of these fish. “Tests have so far not detected the same strain of GBS that has been detected in humans,” the ministry said.

But as a precautionary measure, the restrictions on sales of raw fish dishes using Song and Toman fish will remain. Further investigations are being conducted by the MOH, AVA and the National Environment Agency.

“As a general precaution, vulnerable groups of people, especially young children, pregnant women, elderly persons, or people with chronic illness such as diabetes, should continue to exercise caution by avoiding raw ready-to-eat food,” the MOH said.

GBS is a common bacterium found in the human gut and urinary tract of about 15 to 30 per cent of adults without causing disease, said MOH.

However, GBS may occasionally cause infections of the skin, joints, heart and brain. Most GBS infections are treatable with antibiotics.

No link found between GBS and sashimi consumption: MOH
The Health Ministry issues a clarification in response to a rumour circulating via WhatsApp and SMS.
Channel NewsAsia 26 Aug 15;

SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Health (MOH) has not found any link between the Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection and consumption of sashimi-style raw fish, it said on Wednesday (Aug 26).

It posted a clarification on Facebook, stating that its investigations have only found an association between GBS infections and the consumption of "yusheng" - a raw fish dish. It had earlier detected traces of the bacteria on samples of Toman fish and Song fish.

MOH's Facebook note comes after was alerted to a rumour being circulated via WhatsApp and SMS. The message claims one person died from a bacterial infection after eating sashimi over the Jubilee weekend and that a professor was critically ill from consuming salmon sashimi two months ago.

In July, the ministry noticed a spike in GBS cases and advised food stall holders to temporarily stop the sales of raw fish dishes using Song fish and Toman fish. A few GBS patients told Channel NewsAsia that they had painful swelling of the joints and some had to have surgery.

The health ministry on Wednesday reiterated that there has been a downtrend in the number of GBS cases since mid-July, after the sale of yusheng was halted.

“MOH would like to reiterate that GBS is a common bacterium that colonises the human gut and urinary tract. While GBS does not usually cause disease in healthy individuals, it may occasionally cause infections of the bloodstream, skin and soft tissue, joints, lungs and brain. The risk factors for GBS infection include underlying chronic or co-morbid conditions,” it said.

“As a general precaution, vulnerable groups of people, especially young children, pregnant women, elderly persons, or people with chronic illness such as diabetes, should continue to exercise caution by avoiding raw ready-to-eat food.”

- CNA/dl