Wuhan virus outbreak: Singapore sees first suspected case
UPDATE: MOH issued a statement, on 5 January, confirming that the case is not linked to the pneumonia cluster in Wuhan.
SINGAPORE — The Ministry of Health (MOH) has been notified of a suspected case involving a Chinese national with pneumonia and a travel history to Wuhan, where a mysterious infectious disease has afflicted dozens.
The three-year-old girl had not visited the Huanan seafood wholesale market in the mainland Chinese city linked to a cluster of pneumonia cases of “unknown cause”, said MOH in a news release on Saturday (4 January).
She has been warded for further assessment and treatment, and has been isolated as a precautionary measure, added MOH. The girl is currently in stable condition and has tested positive for Respiratory Syncytial Virus, a common cause of childhood pneumonia.
“Investigations are ongoing to confirm this as the cause,” said MOH.
Since the first case of infection was reported in China on 24 December, the number of cases involving the virus has grown to 44 – with 11 people now in critical condition. The outbreak has also led to online speculation over a possible resurgence of the SARS virus, which left hundreds dead in 2002-2003.
News of the mystery virus’ spread has also seen countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam conducting temperature screenings on passengers arriving from Wuhan.
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