Singapore to step up surveillance of three infectious...
Singapore is increasing surveillance of three viral haemorrhagic fevers—Crimean-Congo, Lassa, and Marburg—by requiring medical practitioners to report all suspected cases. While the risk remains low, the move aims to ensure national preparedness for diseases that currently lack approved vaccines or treatments.
Why it matters
Proactive reporting requirements for high-fatality pathogens are critical for public health containment and early detection in global travel hubs.
Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, Lassa fever and Marburg virus disease will be added to the list of infectious diseases.
Singapore has stepped up surveillance of three potentially deadly diseases that have no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments, with medical practitioners required to report all cases to the authorities from Oct 31.
These diseases are Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF), Lassa fever and Marburg virus disease (MVD).
The Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) said it has been monitoring them for some time "as all three diseases are viral haemorrhagic fevers that can cause severe illness and have the potential for human-to-human transmission".
The diseases could have fatality rates of up to 50%, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
They will be added to the Infectious Diseases Act's (IDA) list of infectious diseases, following the amendment of IDA and its related regulations in September by the Ministry of Health (MOH).
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