Last 3 months of 2015 sees rise in cases of acute respiratory infection: MOH

One doctor says the number of patients with acute respiratory infections is expected to increase in the next two months.
Channel NewsAsia 2 Jan 16;

SINGAPORE: Statistics from the Health Ministry showed there were more than 38,000 cases of acute respiratory infections from September to December 2015.

That's an increase of about 20 per cent, compared to the previous year. One Traditional Chinese Medicine clinic says they saw about 80 cases in November and December - a 20 per cent increase.

The clinic also said it's seeing more patients coming for flu vaccinations.

One doctor said the number of patients with acute respiratory infections is expected to increase in the next two months.

"In the northern part of the world, winter has come and that starts an increase in cases of respiratory infection and that includes influenza A and B,” said Dr Jim Teo, a specialist and respiratory physician based in Mt Alvernia Hospital and Parkway East Hospital.

“As more people travel overseas from Singapore, they do bring back all these viruses and we do see them being transmitted through the society. That's why we see a slow increase in the number of such cases."

- CNA/ek