Swine Influenza (Flu) Pandemic Alert

As you may have already learned from news reports, there is an outbreak of a novel Influenza A (H1N1) virus.

It has just been reported that the WHO Director-General has raised the level of influenza pandemic alert from the current phase 3 to phase 4. The change to a higher phase of alert indicates that the likelihood of a pandemic has increased, but not that a pandemic is inevitable. This decision was based primarily on epidemiological data demonstrating human-to-human transmission and the ability of the virus to cause community-level outbreaks.

U.S. Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection
(As of April 28, 2009, 11:00 AM ET)
State - # of laboratory confirmed cases
California- 10 cases
Kansas- 2 cases
New York City- 45 cases
Ohio-1 cases
Texas 6 cases
TOTAL COUNT- 64 CASES
International Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection
See: World Health Organization

As at 27 April 2009, there are reportedly 18 confirmed cases in Mexico, 20 in the United States (New York City, California, Texas, Kansas and Ohio), and 6 in Canada (Nova Scotia and British Columbia). There are also reports of suspected human cases in a number of countries such as South Korea, New Zealand, Scotland, Israel, Spain, Brazil and Columbia. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that this outbreak in Mexico and the US constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), and has recommended that countries intensify their surveillance and precautionary measures. The US has also declared a public health emergency to deal with the emerging human swine influenza.

As of 27 April 09, there are no cases of human swine flu in Singapore. There are two cases referred to CDC for further assessment. One of them is an American from California picked up for higher-than-normal temperature by thermal screening at Changi Airport. The other is a local resident who had a travel history to the United States and flu-like symptoms, who presented himself at the polyclinic and was referred to the CDC. Preliminary tests for Influenza A for both were negative. The Ministry of Health is monitoring the situation closely and will update the public should there be any new developments.

In the meantime, we want to emphasize the health measures we can all take (adapted from the website of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). There is no vaccine available right now although development of one is underway. Current anti-virals are effective in the treatment of the disease.

There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of influenza. Of note:
First and most important: wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
Stay in good general health.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Viruses spread this way.
Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

People are advised to postpone or avoid non-essential travel to Mexico. In the event that travel to Mexico is unavoidable, the public is advised to take precautionary measures such as avoiding crowded areas, avoiding coming into contact with sick persons, and maintaining high standards of personal hygiene at all times.

People are also advised to seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms of influenza, such as fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue, diarrhea and vomiting, within seven days of travel to cities where there are confirmed or suspected cases. If in doubt, check with your doctor. They should also disclose their travel histories to their doctors.

*Extracted from email (The National University Health System Singapore)

I am a Belonophobic!

Actually, it was an overstatement. I am not afarid of needle.

Hmm... Okay, I admit, just a little bit scared of it while the nurse preparing for the injection.

I just got myself jab (finally) for the HPV vaccine, and I've chosen Gardasil over Cervarix. *Grin*

Went over to the Raffles Hospital after work with Steph, my colleague. The first jab cost me $160 excluding the practice cost and GST, total up would be $177.60. We need to go back after 2 months and 6 months later for the following jabs.

The nurse was courteous enough to explain to us about the vaccine before she did the 0.5mL deep intramuscular injection into my left arm.


Yeah, I have done the 1st jab! And without failed showing my appointment card so that I won't forget to come for the 2nd and 3rd dose. My left arm was feeling numbness and a bit weak, so I skipped my double-hot yoga. Hope tomorrow won't be in pain and I can go for my combat class!

Gardasil vs Cervarix

I have been wanting to get myself vaccinated for HPV (human papillomavirus), which protects against cervical cancer, ever since my company policy covered the medical expenses. Hehe.

Watch this. I just found some advertisments about the cervical cancer Immunisation Programme.

According to the second report of the National Cancer Registry Cancer Incidence in Malaysia (2003) from Ministry of Health Malaysia, cervical cancer is the 2nd most common cancer among Malaysian women (behind breast cancer). The World Health Organization estimates that there are currently more than 2 million women in the world who have cervical cancer. Every year, 490,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed. That is more than 1,350 new cases per day.

Probably someone will be asking: What is cervical cancer? (A big question)

Cervical cancer is the cancer that forms in tissues of the cervix (the organ connecting the uterus and vagina) which is passed mainly through sexual contact.. It is usually a slow-growing cancer that may not have symptoms but can be found with regular Pap tests (a procedure in which cells are scraped from the cervix and looked at under a microscope).

However, the key is that almost all cervical cancer can be preventable.

Currently,there are 2 competitive vaccines available in the market, Cervarix from GSK and Gardasil from MSD.

Cervarix is specifically designed for two strains of the virus, types 16 and 18, responsible for 70% of cervical cancer, while Gardasil targets four strains, type 16,18 and two of which, type 6 and 11, responsible for 90% of genital wards.

Experts say the vaccine is most useful when given to younger girls (age 18 to 25 or even as early as 9 years old). It is ineffective once the virus is present.

The drawback: The high price tags. The vaccine, which has to be given in three doses, at 0, 2 and 6 month, costs between SGD$4500 and SGD$600. But I really think it's really worth every penny to help to do prevention.



So, tell someone about cervical cancer today and get yourself and your love one protected against cervical cancer....

Guys, this is hilarous!

Liverpool fans, don't wallop me!

What a melodious weekend

I was here!!! At Yong Siew Toh Conservatory Concert Hall for the Piano Plus! performance on my Friday night.

I was keeping captivated for two tuneful hours with Beethoven, Ravel, Glière etcs' works (since when did I become a high society who interested in classical music?).LOL

Actually, my sisters came over the weekend to search for some music schools. And it so happened they were having some free admission piano event and we decided to go have a look.



The exterior design of NUS music school during the evening time.






The concert hall, with grand piano.

The programme List.

My elder sis, Kian Peng, the soon-to-be bridegroom.


My younger sis, Arion. When is your turn to perform on the stage?


The pianist and violinist were playing Sonata in G major by Ravel. It was brillant! And I can't stop putting my hands together.


Apparently, experts in US say that classical music is good for brains, especially for babies and it can stimulate a child's development. So, in order to have a smart baby, prenatal education with classical music is necessary.


********************

Okay, back to the topic. Lets' talk about food.



The day before, we had our dinner at Marché, Vivo City after they landed from KL.


Of course, its signature bull with an awesome spot on the rooftop of Vivocity.


Cozy ambient and not many people though, because it was 5.30pm.

The Marché Crepe, a type of very thin, cooked pancake wrapped with vege, chesse and chicken. I love the homemade sauce, it tastes milky and creamy.

A typical caesar salad.

My best-loved Swiss Rösti!!! We actually finished up in a split second and order another one. Hehe...

Average-tasting chicken pasta.


Pork and cheese sausages. Yummy!

Carbonated Root Beer from Bundaberg.



Arion just bought the hair band and I tried on it.

Chilling out with a full stomach after 3 hours of chin-wagging. It's good to have you all here.


********************


It was a sunny and warm Saturday, and it's shopping time for 3 compulsive shoppers!




After all dolled up, get ready to patronize.....

Didn't actually shop a lot, so we were getting a pit stop at Starbucks. I love Saturday afternoon with Green tea frappuccino + magazine + gossip with my beloved sis.

Arion forever cuteness.

Snapshot #1

Snapshot #2, closer a bit.

And, we carried on our shopping spree at Orchard before we heading to the main purpose of the whole trip.

*******************

The Romantic Fantasy Worlds, presented by Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music at Esplanade Concert Hall.

The concert tickets for four.

Before the concert begins...

We managed to get seats quite near to the stage, I was very excited despite his was my 2nd time watching a concert (or rather a play) at esplanade. I was there for Avenue Q (A musical play based on the Sesame Street with puppets operated by actors onstage and it was super hilarious).

See this, this is amusing!!!

More and more concert goers filling up the hall and the performers got seated, tuning the respective instruments.

The sound of violins, violas, cellos, flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, horns, trumpets, trombones, tuba, timpani, percussion and harps slowly saturated the hall.

I was lucky to be a part of this two hours, hefty-duty performance, that featured the Felix Mendelssohn and Hector Berlioz's pieces. Indeed, the most mind-blowing overture was the Wedding March from Felix Mendelssohn's A Midsummer Night's Dream. The popularity of these selections was greatly increased when they were used for the wedding of Princess Victoria. You all would be very familiar with this song as it would be played during a wedding, usually during the entrance of the bride or the departure of the married couple at the end.

I was exhausted by the time I sent my sisters off to JB to meet my brother-in-law-to-be and I really am happy to have my sisters here over the weekend. Pity Jasmine can't join us.

I love you all so much!

My very 2nd post- I/ Me/ Myself

It's been a year plus, since I put my first entry into the blogspot.

I told myself I have to keep writing, but I was procastinating, until now.

So, I guess I just have to start from scratch.

I have been working in Biopolis, Singapore as a Research Associate for about one and a half year and I started to feel bored about my job. Basically I would be staying in the laboratory, working on human Embryonic Stem Cells research. It's kinda hard for me to explain the whole process of what am I doing everyday as it's too technical.



Self-snap at the Cell bank, filling up liquid nitrogen once a week.


Me on the office desk. Kinda messy duh...



I have to wear like this, full gown with disposable head cover, lab coat, and shoe cover before I can enter the laboratory to make sure that I am free of contaminant and do no harm for the fragile human embryonic stem cells.


Life in Singapore is fine, oridnary and routine.
Work, eat, sleep, and yoga...