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Ang Mo Kio TB cluster: 2 possible active cases found
Posted 04 Jul 2016 16:55 Updated 04 Jul 2016 17:52
SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Monday (Jul 4) that two residents of Block 203 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 may have active tuberculosis (TB), based on the results of chest x-rays from the on-site screening exercise conducted last month.
Authorities offered the free screenings after an unusual cluster of six multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB) infections was detected at the block.
In a news release on Monday, MOH said that the two possible active TB cases are currently being followed up on for treatment, monitoring and contact tracing. DNA fingerprinting analysis will be conducted to ascertain if they are related to the unusual cluster of MDRTB and this may take some time.
MOH said that a total of 223 residents and former residents were screened on-site from Jun 16 to 19. Of these, 164 tested negative for TB and do not require follow-up action.
LATENT TB CASES IN BLOCK 203 WITHIN EXPECTED RANGE
MOH added that 45 residents may have latent TB, which is likely caused by past exposure to the TB bacteria, but that these cases are not infectious. As it is not possible to determine the specific strains of latent TB, as a precaution, these residents have been advised to monitor themselves for any TB symptoms, and will be followed up by the Tuberculosis Control Unit (TBCU) on a six-monthly basis for the next two years.
To date, treatment has started for four individuals who were found to have latent TB through the on-site screening exercise.
MOH added that the rate of latent TB among those who were screened on site is within the upper end of the expected baseline prevalence range. It said: "As latent TB is prevalent in Singapore’s population, the baseline prevalence of latent TB among residents in Block 203 is expected to be up to 23 per cent, taking into consideration the demographic profile and other factors.
"The rate of latent TB among those who were screened on-site (not including those screened on Jul 2) is about 22 per cent, within the upper end of the expected baseline prevalence range."
It noted that people with latent TB show no symptoms, do not feel sick and cannot spread TB to others, and that about 90 per cent of them will never develop active TB in their lifetime.
Additionally, three Block 203 residents were found to have previously contracted TB earlier in life and had completed treatment. According to MOH, their abnormal chest x-ray results were likely a result of scarring from their previous infection and are not related to the Ang Mo Kio cluster of MDRTB.
MOH said that residents and former residents of Block 203 can continue to make appointments for free TB screenings at the TBCU and at SATA clinics in Ang Mo Kio.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news..._editorspick_070814&google_editors_picks=true
Posted 04 Jul 2016 16:55 Updated 04 Jul 2016 17:52
SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Monday (Jul 4) that two residents of Block 203 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 may have active tuberculosis (TB), based on the results of chest x-rays from the on-site screening exercise conducted last month.
Authorities offered the free screenings after an unusual cluster of six multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB) infections was detected at the block.
In a news release on Monday, MOH said that the two possible active TB cases are currently being followed up on for treatment, monitoring and contact tracing. DNA fingerprinting analysis will be conducted to ascertain if they are related to the unusual cluster of MDRTB and this may take some time.
MOH said that a total of 223 residents and former residents were screened on-site from Jun 16 to 19. Of these, 164 tested negative for TB and do not require follow-up action.
LATENT TB CASES IN BLOCK 203 WITHIN EXPECTED RANGE
MOH added that 45 residents may have latent TB, which is likely caused by past exposure to the TB bacteria, but that these cases are not infectious. As it is not possible to determine the specific strains of latent TB, as a precaution, these residents have been advised to monitor themselves for any TB symptoms, and will be followed up by the Tuberculosis Control Unit (TBCU) on a six-monthly basis for the next two years.
To date, treatment has started for four individuals who were found to have latent TB through the on-site screening exercise.
MOH added that the rate of latent TB among those who were screened on site is within the upper end of the expected baseline prevalence range. It said: "As latent TB is prevalent in Singapore’s population, the baseline prevalence of latent TB among residents in Block 203 is expected to be up to 23 per cent, taking into consideration the demographic profile and other factors.
"The rate of latent TB among those who were screened on-site (not including those screened on Jul 2) is about 22 per cent, within the upper end of the expected baseline prevalence range."
It noted that people with latent TB show no symptoms, do not feel sick and cannot spread TB to others, and that about 90 per cent of them will never develop active TB in their lifetime.
Additionally, three Block 203 residents were found to have previously contracted TB earlier in life and had completed treatment. According to MOH, their abnormal chest x-ray results were likely a result of scarring from their previous infection and are not related to the Ang Mo Kio cluster of MDRTB.
MOH said that residents and former residents of Block 203 can continue to make appointments for free TB screenings at the TBCU and at SATA clinics in Ang Mo Kio.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news..._editorspick_070814&google_editors_picks=true
I remember eating there before it closed & the place was taken over by Courts, the furniture, electronics, home appliance store. SATA is just a few doors down from the KFC & Pizza Hut outlet.
