SINGAPORE — Doctors in Singapore are advising the public not to be alarmed following news that Hong Kong confirmed its first human case of the deadly H7N9 bird flu this week, as the virus is not easily transmitted from human to human.

However, those travelling overseas are advised to avoid contact with live poultry and maintain good hygiene.

Infectious disease doctors said a regular flu vaccination will not help in the protection against H7N9 as the two viruses are different.

Scientists here are also monitoring the virus, and since 2008, Singapore has been equipped with test kits to detect all H7 strains, including H7N9. The test kits are used in biosurveillance and public health laboratories.

Dr Rosemary Tan, chief executive officer of Veredus Laboratories, said: “With the current trend, we are mindful of the situation and that we have to constantly be cautious of the mutation in influenza.

“And with the current strain that we are worrying about — H7N9 — we are working very hard to keep updated and to be able to customise our chip to specifically identify H7N9.”

Dr Leong Hoe Nam, consultant infectious disease physician at Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, said: “We have two good effective medications now against H7N9. One is taken orally, the other one is inhaled into the lungs.

“The key thing to know is the earlier you start your medication, the less your symptoms.” CHANNEL NEWSASIA