New case of pneumonia found in S'pore: Chinese national, 26, with travel history to Wuhan

He is in stable condition.

Joshua Lee | January 10, 2020, 07:37 PM

Update on Jan. 12, 8pm: We've added a statement from MOH with regard to this case of pneumonia in this article.

A 26-year-old male Chinese national who contracted pneumonia has been isolated in Singapore on Friday (Jan. 10) as a precautionary measure while he is bring assessed and treated.

The unnamed patient has travel history to Wuhan in Hubei, which has been plagued by a mystery cluster of pneumonia, possibly caused by a new strain of coronavirus.

According to an update from the Ministry of Health (MOH), the patient is currently in stable condition.

The ministry added, however, that this patient did not visit the Huanan seafood wholesale market — the location associated with the dangerous cluster of pneumonia in Wuhan.

Investigations to establish whether this latest case is linked to the Wuhan pneumonia cluster are ongoing.

Since Jan. 3, the ministry has been conducting temperature checks for travellers who are entering Singapore from Wuhan:

Previously, a three-year-old girl was suspected to be Singapore's first case after she developed pneumonia when she returned from Wuhan.

MOH later confirmed that the girl was not infected with the mystery virus.

On Jan. 11, MOH has updated that this case is not linked to the Wuhan pneumonia cluster. Here's the statement in full:

Epidemiological investigations, clinical assessment and laboratory test results from the suspect case reported on 10 January 2020 involving a 26 year-old male Chinese national with pneumonia and travel history to Wuhan have found that the case is not linked to the pneumonia cluster in Wuhan. The case has also tested negative for coronavirus.

The Ministry of Health will continue to monitor the situation closely. As medical practitioners are on the lookout for cases with pneumonia who have recently returned from Wuhan,

Singapore is likely to see more suspect cases that will need to be investigated for possible links to the Wuhan cluster.

We urge the public to remain vigilant and to adopt good personal hygiene practices at all times. Travellers to Wuhan should monitor their health closely and seek medical attention promptly if they feel unwell, and also inform their doctor of their travel history.

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