As of 18 June 2015, Thailand confirms its first case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). With the respiratory disease spreading “closer to home” – from Middle East to eastern Asia, Singapore needs to take precautionary measures and be on guard.
For those who have to travel to the areas affected by MERS, please remain alert and adopt the following health precautions, as recommended by the Ministry of Health:
- Observe good personal hygiene at all times
- Wash your hands frequently with soap (eg. before and after meals, after using the washroom or when hands are dirty)
- Consider wearing a surgical mask in crowded places and avoid close contact with persons suffering from acute respiratory infections (eg. someone who is coughing)
- Avoid contact with camels and other live farm or wild animals, including not visiting camel farms
- Adopt good food safety and hygiene practices and avoid consuming unpasteurised milk, undercooked meats, raw fruits and vegetables (unless they have been peeled), or unsafe water
- Avoid visiting healthcare institutions in the Middle East and South Korea, unless it is necessary to do so
In addition to monitoring the progress of the virus closely, Specialist Dental Group also ensures that proper precautionary measures are taken in our clinics.
Evaluation of Patients’ Medical Conditions
Patients with fever, cough and/or sore throat who have been to the affected countries in the 14 days before they become ill would be advised to seek immediate medical attention.
Observation of Infection Control Procedures
Patients can be assured that we are conscientious in our infection control efforts. Here are some of the procedures that our nurses and dentists follow:
- Wear eyeprotection during treatment
- Wear clean, sterile, long-sleeved gown, masks and gloves
- Proper disposal of sharp needles, gown, masks and gloves
- Limiting the number of persons present in treatment room to the minimum required for the patient’s care and support
- Perform hand hygiene using soap and water before and after contact with the patients, after toilet breaks and when leaving the surgery at the end of the day
- Sterilize dental instruments before use
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