Health and Me

Ishita Roy

Two Passengers From Singapore Airlines Arrive In New Zealand With Measles

Two passengers travelling in Singapore airlines arrived in New Zealand with measles symptoms. However, reported The Strait Times, that they are not linked to any other known cases, as noted by the Communicable Disease Agency (CDA).

The agency told the media outlet that it was notified on February 25 that two Singapore Airlines (SIA) passengers infected with measles landed in Auckland, New Zealand. Both were from the same household and flown from Hyderabad, India. They transited in Singapore for two hours before boarding an SIA flight to Auckland. 

CDA investigation also revealed that these two cases remained in the transit area at Changi Airport. Associate Professor Lim Poh Lian, group director of the CDA's Communicable Disease Programmes, as reported by The Strait Times noted that the individuals were reported to have developed symptoms only while onboard the flight from Singapore to Auckland.

New Zealand media earlier reported that the two cases were detected after the individuals arrived in Auckland on flight SQ281 on February 17. The country’s public health authority began tracing passengers seated in rows 31 to 46 on the same flight, along with people who were present in the waiting area of Waitakere Hospital’s Emergency Department on February 21.

“Based on the onset of their symptoms, they were infected before transiting through Singapore and are not linked to any other known measles cases in Singapore,” Prof Lim said.

She also clarified that their time in transit through Singapore did not coincide with that of a previously reported measles case involving a passenger who had passed through Singapore en route to Los Angeles in the United States.

Measles has a high transmissibility, and high measles immunity levels are required to prevent sustained measles virus transmission.

This is why herd immunity for measles could be easily breached.

It easily spreads from one infected person to another through breathes, coughs or sneezes and could cause severe disease, complications, and even death.

<ul><li>High fever</li><li>Cough</li><li>Runny Nose</li><li>Rash all over the body</li></ul>

The most unique symptom or the early sign of measles in the Koplik spots. These are tiny white dots that look like grains of salt on red gums inside the cheeks that appear before the red rash starts to appear on a person's face and then the body.

Furthermore, the symptoms of measles are also characterized by the three Cs:

<ul><li>Cough</li><li>Coryza or runny nose</li><li>Conjunctivitis or red and water eyes</li></ul>

<h2>Update On The Passengers Who Landed In New Zealand</h2>

The passenger on flight SQ38 arrived at Los Angeles International Airport at about 7pm on February 9, after a roughly two-and-a-half-hour transit at Changi Airport following a flight from Cambodia.

Prof Lim said the most effective protection against measles is to be fully vaccinated before travelling. She also advised travellers to practise good hygiene, such as washing hands regularly and avoiding close contact with anyone who is unwell.

Anyone who develops symptoms like fever, rash, cough, red or watery eyes, or a runny nose should wear a mask, seek medical care promptly, and inform their doctor about their recent travel and any possible exposure to measles, she added.

In response to queries, Singapore Airlines told The Straits Times that it is working closely with the authorities but cannot share specific details due to customer confidentiality.

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Two passengers travelling in Singapore airlines arrived in New Zealand with measles symptoms. However, reported The Strait Times, that they are not linked to any other known cases, as noted by the Communicable Disease Agency (CDA). The agency told the media outlet that it was notified on February 25 that two Singapore Airlines (SIA) passengers infected with measles landed in Auckland, New Zealand. Both were from the same household and flown from Hyderabad, India. They transited in Singapore for two hours before boarding an SIA flight to Auckland. CDA investigation also revealed that these two cases remained in the transit area at Changi Airport. Associate Professor Lim Poh Lian, group director of the CDA's Communicable Disease Programmes, as reported by The Strait Times noted that the individuals were reported to have developed symptoms only while onboard the flight from Singapore to Auckland. New Zealand media earlier reported that the two cases were detected after the individuals arrived in Auckland on flight SQ281 on February 17. The country’s public health authority began tracing passengers seated in rows 31 to 46 on the same flight, along with people who were present in the waiting area of Waitakere Hospital’s Emergency Department on February 21.“Based on the onset of their symptoms, they were infected before transiting through Singapore and are not linked to any other known measles cases in Singapore,” Prof Lim said.She also clarified that their time in transit through Singapore did not coincide with that of a previously reported measles case involving a passenger who had passed through Singapore en route to Los Angeles in the United States.What Is Measles?Measles has a high transmissibility, and high measles immunity levels are required to prevent sustained measles virus transmission.This is why herd immunity for measles could be easily breached.It easily spreads from one infected person to another through breathes, coughs or sneezes and could cause severe disease, complications, and even death.Symptoms include:High feverCoughRunny NoseRash all over the bodyThe most unique symptom or the early sign of measles in the Koplik spots. These are tiny white dots that look like grains of salt on red gums inside the cheeks that appear before the red rash starts to appear on a person's face and then the body.Furthermore, the symptoms of measles are also characterized by the three Cs:CoughCoryza or runny noseConjunctivitis or red and water eyesUpdate On The Passengers Who Landed In New ZealandThe passenger on flight SQ38 arrived at Los Angeles International Airport at about 7pm on February 9, after a roughly two-and-a-half-hour transit at Changi Airport following a flight from Cambodia.Prof Lim said the most effective protection against measles is to be fully vaccinated before travelling. She also advised travellers to practise good hygiene, such as washing hands regularly and avoiding close contact with anyone who is unwell.Anyone who develops symptoms like fever, rash, cough, red or watery eyes, or a runny nose should wear a mask, seek medical care promptly, and inform their doctor about their recent travel and any possible exposure to measles, she added.In response to queries, Singapore Airlines told The Straits Times that it is working closely with the authorities but cannot share specific details due to customer confidentiality.