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What might Singapore’s record number of dengue cases and the curious case of a cholera outbreak in Canada have to do with climate change? Associate Professor Yann Boucher was invited on CNA’s ‘The Climate Conversations’ podcast to speak on how climate change affects the way diseases are emerging and transmitted. The discussion with podcast host, Jaime Ho, revolved around the impact of man-made environmental disturbances and pandemics. “Certainly, there’s been changes happening in the environment and one thing to understand is that most diseases, at least the one that spreadRead more

COVID-19 vaccine programmes are being rolled out across the world, including in Singapore. Last month, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced that vaccination would be free for all Singaporeans and long-term residents. While vaccination is voluntary, all medically eligible residents are encouraged to come forward to get vaccinated. “Because when you get yourself vaccinated, you are not just protecting yourself. The more of us are vaccinated, the harder it will be for the virus to spread, and the safer we will all be as a society.” – Prime Minister LeeRead more

Singapore has addressed local transmission, but we must recognise that this success is transient and constantly at risk. If we want to keep local COVID-19 transmissions low for the long-term, then it’s important that 70 to 80 per cent of the population gets vaccinated, wrote Associate Professor Alex Cook, Vice Dean (Research) and Domain Leader (Biostatistics and Modelling). In a commentary for Channel NewsAsia, he explained the differences between ‘natural herd immunity’ and ‘vaccine-induced herd immunity’, as well as the safety of the vaccine development process. Assoc Prof Cook alsoRead more

Dr Melvin Seng is the Country Lead Physician in GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), overseeing employee health and well-being across commercial offices and manufacturing sites in the private sector. He obtained his Master of Public Health from the School in 2016.

Zero locally transmitted cases were reported in Singapore in the past two weeks. This is the longest period without any cases in the community since the pandemic started. “I think it is a good milestone, and it gives us cautious optimism that our current measures, even in Phase Two, are sufficient to reduce the transmissibility of the virus significantly to the point where probably the majority of small outbreaks might burn themselves out,” said Associate Professor Hsu Li Yang, Vice Dean (Global Health) and Programme Leader (Infectious Diseases). “But IRead more

The COVID-19 outbreak has brought global travel to an unprecedented halt as countries worldwide imposed travel restrictions in an attempt to contain spread. Yet, many look towards reopening and return to a sense of normalcy while striking a balance between protecting public health and economic survival. As the coronavirus outbreak steadies and comes under control across countries in the Asia Pacific region, governments are exploring different options to reopen their borders. The COVID-19 in Asia Pacific: Border Control and Path to Reopening webinar organised by the School on 21 October,Read more

Associate Professor Ng Wee Tong has spent most of his career working in Occupational Medicine, first in the Republic of Singapore Air Force and then in the commercial sector. He is also a specialist in Aviation Medicine, which was a core requirement during his time in the military.

Associate Professor Natasha Howard moved to Singapore to join the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health in early 2020 from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), where she continues to supervise doctoral students and lead on several research projects.

As the pandemic unfolds it is timely to talk with Associate Professor Mythily Subramaniam and reflect on the phases of the pandemic in relation to mental well-being. Mythily has worked in mental health research for over 15 years and is also Director of the Research Division and Lead Investigator of the Programme of Mental Health Policy Studies at the Institute of Mental Health. She also teaches and mentors students at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health.

A policy review published in The Lancet identified five key factors for developing strategies to ease lockdown restrictions: knowledge of infection levels, community engagement, public health capacity, health system capacity, and border control measures. Analysing the successes and failures of nine high-income countries and regions (Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, and the United Kingdom), the authors found an absence of clear and consistent strategies for exiting restrictions and identified key cross-country lessons that can be learnt. Lead author, Associate Professor Helena Legido-Quigley said, “COVID-19Read more

During the recent parliamentary debate, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong noted that scientists have been talking about ‘Disease X’, a highly infectious, deadly disease whose pathogen mutates easily. “COVID-19 has been a disaster for the world, but it is not Disease X. It is not the worst new disease that can befall humankind,” said PM Lee, warning that it was only a matter of time before it happens and Singapore must build up its resilience, instincts and preparedness for when it arrives. Vice Dean (Research), Assoc Prof Alex Cook, saidRead more

Just eight months into the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers and pharmaceutical companies worldwide are engaged in a global race to develop a vaccine that may potentially eradicate the deadly virus. According to the latest report from the World Health Organization, currently, 31 vaccines are in clinical evaluation, with another 142 candidate vaccines in preclinical evaluation. While the rapid advancement through the rigorous stages of clinical trials has been impressive, experts have voiced concerns over the safety and efficacy of these vaccines. Dean, Professor Teo Yik Ying said that there is theRead more