Management of novel influenza epidemics in Singapore: consensus recommendations from the Hospital Influenza Workgroup (Singapore)

The recent emergence and global spread of a novel strain of influenza A (H1N1) virus has resulted in the first influenza pandemic of the 21st century. With its rapid spread to more than 70 countries within three months, governments are faced with the challenge of either containing or mitigating this influenza pandemic. The aim of this paper is to provide evidence-based consensus recommendations in the areas of infection control, antiviral treatment, chemoprophylaxis, antibiotic stockpiling and vaccination to guide decision-making for clinicians and administrators within the Singapore context. As the transmissibility and virulence of this new influenza A (H1N1) virus may evolve over time, we have tailored our recommendations according to several potential scenarios of viral virulence and transmissibility.