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GBS infections fall after curbs on sale of raw-fish dishes

SINGAPORE — The number of cases of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infections has gone down since mid-July this year, following restrictions on the sale of certain types of raw fish dishes, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) today (Aug 23).

File photo of raw fish served with congee. Photo: Channel NewsAsia

File photo of raw fish served with congee. Photo: Channel NewsAsia

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SINGAPORE — The number of cases of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infections has gone down since mid-July this year, following restrictions on the sale of certain types of raw fish dishes, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) today (Aug 23).

The number of cases of such bacterial infections reported to MOH decreased to an average of three per week in the past three weeks, from an average of 20 cases per week since the beginning of 2015, said the ministry in a news release. The current number is similar to the baseline level before the outbreak, it added.

Last month, the authorities asked eateries to suspend the sale of raw-fish dishes that use Song fish and Toman fish as a precautionary measure, after tests on samples of these species found traces of GBS bacteria.

The MOH said the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore has investigated the entire food supply chain of these fish. “Tests have so far not detected the same strain of GBS that has been detected in humans,” the ministry said.

But as a precautionary measure, the restrictions on sales of raw fish dishes using Song and Toman fish will remain. Further investigations are being conducted by the MOH, AVA and the National Environment Agency.

“As a general precaution, vulnerable groups of people, especially young children, pregnant women, elderly persons, or people with chronic illness such as diabetes, should continue to exercise caution by avoiding raw ready-to-eat food,” the MOH said. 

GBS is a common bacterium found in the human gut and urinary tract of about 15 to 30 per cent of adults without causing disease, said MOH. 

However, GBS may occasionally cause infections of the skin, joints, heart and brain. Most GBS infections are treatable with antibiotics.

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