Combating SARS and H1N1: Insights and Lessons From Singapore’s Public Health Control Measures

ASEAS - Austrian Journal of South-East Asian Studies, 5(1), 74-101

Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy Research Paper No. LKYSPP 12-11

29 Pages Posted: 18 Aug 2012

See all articles by Allen Yuhung Lai

Allen Yuhung Lai

Institute of Health Economics and Management, ESSEC Business School

Teck Boon Tan

National University of Singapore (NUS) - Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy

Date Written: August 1, 2012

Abstract

Managing the outbreak of infectious diseases is a major public health imperative for the small island-state of Singapore. In this paper, we discuss and assess the Singaporean government’s public health measures to combat the 2003 SARS and the 2009 H1N1 pandemics. Crucially, the government established a clear line of command and control to execute drastic public health control measures at three main fronts: healthcare providers, community levels, and at border-crossings. Key characteristics of these public health control measures are case management, outbreak control, surveillance, public education, temperature screening, and, as a last resort, quarantine. By providing a chronological account of the public health control measures introduced to combat SARS and H1N1 in Singapore, this paper seeks to add to the body of knowledge on pandemic management.

Keywords: SARS, H1N1, public health control measures, infectious disease, Singapore

JEL Classification: I18, K32, N45, P36

Suggested Citation

Lai, Allen Yuhung and Tan, Teck Boon, Combating SARS and H1N1: Insights and Lessons From Singapore’s Public Health Control Measures (August 1, 2012). ASEAS - Austrian Journal of South-East Asian Studies, 5(1), 74-101 , Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy Research Paper No. LKYSPP 12-11, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2131073

Allen Yuhung Lai (Contact Author)

Institute of Health Economics and Management, ESSEC Business School ( email )

3 Avenue Bernard Hirsch
CS 50105 CERGY
CERGY, CERGY PONTOISE CEDEX 95021
France

HOME PAGE: http://www.allenlai.org

Teck Boon Tan

National University of Singapore (NUS) - Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy ( email )

Singapore 117591
Singapore

HOME PAGE: http://www.spp.nus.edu.sg/PhD_Tan_Teck_Boon.aspx

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
403
Abstract Views
2,529
Rank
134,085
PlumX Metrics