Wuhan virus outbreak: 3-year-old girl's case not linked to China cluster, says MOH
SINGAPORE — The Ministry of Health (MOH) has confirmed that the suspected case of a three-year-old girl with pneumonia who is in Singapore is not linked to the Wuhan cluster.
The ministry said in a news release on Sunday (5 January) that “epidemiological investigations, clinical assessment and laboratory test results” on the Chinese national, who has a travel history to Wuhan, found no links to the mysterious outbreak. She also tested negative for SARS and MERS-CoV.
The cause of her pneumonia is Respiratory Syncytial Virus, a common cause for childhood respiratory infection.
As of 3pm on Sunday, MOH had not been notified of any new suspect cases. However, it said that Singapore is likely to see more suspect cases that will need to be investigated for possible links to the Wuhan cluster.
MOH will continue to monitor the situation closely. “We urge the public to remain vigilant and to adopt good personal hygiene practices at all times. Travellers to Wuhan should monitor their health closely and seek medical attention promptly if they feel unwell, and also inform their doctor of their travel history,” said the ministry.
Separately, Chinese authorities have ruled out SARS, MERS and avian flu as the source of the mysterious viral pneumonia outbreak that has affected 59 people since Christmas Eve.
News of the virus’ spread has seen countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam conducting temperature screenings on passengers arriving from Wuhan.
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