Singapore Donates Third Scanner

“The Singaporean Government on Tuesday will donate an A/H1N1 scanner at Phnom Penh International Airport to curb and prevent the spreading of A/H1N1,” said Sok Touch, director of the Department of Disease and Communicable Control of the Health Ministry.

This is the third scanner that the Singaporean Government has provided to the Cambodian Health Ministry, Sok Touch told DAP News Cambodia on Monday.

According to the official, the number of A/H1N1 infections currently stands at 26 cases.

Cambodia began scanning passengers for fever at its two international airports on April 28, 2009 to stem the spread of swine flu. Staff at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports began screening passengers with thermal-imaging equipment then.

The onset of Cambodia’s cool season, rather optimistically termed a ‘winter’ by many locals, has prom- pted the Health Ministry to ramp up measures to prevent the spread of A/H1N1, a Health Ministry official told DAP News Cambodia on Friday. “It is to more strengthen and take measures in the upcoming season in all hospitals as many new kinds of flu could spread,” said Sok Touch.

Cambodia’s Health Ministry and the World Health Organization issued a statement on June 24, 2009 to document the kingdom’s first case.

The first infected person was a 16-year-old US citizen visiting Cambodia as part of a student group, arrived in Phnom Penh on June 19. She developed symptoms the following days.

The Cambodian Ministry of Health, in cooperation with World Health Organization (WHO), is striving to control the A/H1N1 situation, working to curb the spread of the virus and keeping the public well informed with updates.

Cambodia is the latest nation to be hit by A/H1N1 virus epidemic, after neighboring Thailand, Vietnam and Laos all confirmed cases.

The ministry again called on the public to practice good personal hygiene at all times to prevent the spread of Influenza A/H1N1.

Although the Influenza A/H1N1 epidemic wanes, many countries still remain alert as the World Health Organization (WHO) warned of a new wave of the deadly virus, according to Xinhua news agency.

WHO Director General Margaret Chan warned of second and third waves in previous epidemics, adding that “we need to be prepared for whatever surprises this capricious new virus delivers next,” Xihua reported.

While the seasonal flu disappears with warm weather, A/H1N1 is continuing to spread during the summer, which proves the new flu is more durable and infectious.