Latest news with #DukeNUS
CNA
3 days ago
- Health
- CNA
Singapore 'at risk' of chikungunya transmission: CDA
SINGAPORE: Singapore is at risk of chikungunya transmission, the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) said on Friday (Aug 8), as the number of cases detected in the country rises. The presence of the Aedes mosquito vector, as well as importation of the virus by travellers, are risk factors for the disease transmission in Singapore, said CDA, adding that it is monitoring the situation closely. A total of 17 chikungunya cases have been detected from the start of the year to Aug 2, according to the agency's weekly infectious disease bulletin. This is more than double the eight cases found during the same period last year, and is higher than the 15 cases detected for the whole of 2024. CDA said that out of the 16 chikungunya cases reported as of Jul 31, 13 had recently travelled to affected areas abroad. The other three are local cases that are sporadic in nature and unlinked to one another, it added. "Should new information surface that suggest an increased public health risk to Singapore, the CDA will review the need for additional public health measures," said the agency. The chikungunya virus is spread via the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, and those infected may present symptoms similar to dengue, such as an onset of acute fever, joint pain, rash and headache. Joint pain caused by chikungunya can, however, last for weeks to months, said Professor Ooi Eng Eong, deputy director of the Emerging Infectious Diseases programme at Duke-NUS Medical School. 'Although chikungunya is not as life-threatening as dengue, it can be very debilitating.' CONCERNS OVER RISE IN CASES The increase in chikungunya infections in Singapore is concerning, said infectious disease experts. 'Chikungunya is a disease of public health concern,' said Prof Ooi, pointing out that patients can develop chronic joint pain that can limit daily activities. Dr Paul Tambyah, former president of the International Society for Infectious Diseases, said the rise in cases could indicate that ongoing outbreaks in the Indian Ocean region - particularly in Sri Lanka - and in China had reached Singapore. More than 7,000 chikungunya cases had been reported in China as of Wednesday, with the US issuing a travel advisory warning citizens against visiting Guangdong province, the city of Dongguan, and several other business hubs. Countries such as Bolivia and island nations in the Indian Ocean were also included on the list of places to avoid. The rise in cases in Singapore is 'not surprising', given the country's position as a global travel and trade hub for centuries, said Dr Tambyah. 'What is positive is that the cases are being diagnosed in Singapore. This means that general practitioners are alert to what is going on and notifying the authorities.' This will allow the National Environment Agency (NEA) to take action to control mosquitoes, which is the most effective way to contain the spread of the virus, he added. CNA has contacted NEA to ask if Singapore has observed an increase in its Aedes mosquito population. SAFEGUARDING AGAINST CHIKUNGUNYA According to CDA, chikungunya outbreaks are rising in the Americas, Asia and Europe this year, and temperate countries which were previously unaffected by mosquito-borne diseases now face a higher risk due to climate change. While vaccines for the disease have been licensed elsewhere, they are currently not available in Singapore, experts noted. This is probably because the risk of infection is "relatively low" and the vaccines are new, so Singapore's regulators are waiting for more safety data from overseas, said Dr Tambyah. 'Until a safe and effective vaccine is widely in use, the best approach is to avoid getting bitten by Aedes mosquitoes.' Dr Tambyah advised the public to use mosquito repellent, especially at dawn and dusk, and to ensure workplaces or homes are not breeding Aedes mosquitoes. 'If you get bitten near a construction site, let NEA know as they track construction sites where Aedes breeding is detected and can issue stop-work orders,' he added. CDA also advised those visiting chikungunya-affected areas to take precautions against mosquito bites. Besides applying effective insect repellent, individuals can wear clothing that covers most of their body and stay in rooms that are well-screened against insects. Travellers who feel unwell should seek medical attention promptly and inform their doctor of their travel history and any mosquito bites. They should also continue using effective insect repellent to avoid infecting mosquitoes, which could then spread the disease to others. Doctors and laboratories are also legally required to notify CDA if they detect any suspected or confirmed chikungunya cases, said the agency. WHAT TO DO IF YOU'RE INFECTED Like dengue, there is no antiviral drug that can shorten the duration of a chikungunya infection, said Prof Ooi. 'Treatment is thus directed at alleviating the symptoms, such as analgesics for the joint pain.' Those infected should also seek medical attention to ensure that they do not have dengue in addition to chikungunya, said Dr Tambyah. 'From a public health point of view, individuals should check their workplaces and homes to make sure that they are not breeding Aedes mosquitoes so that no one else at home or work gets infected.'
Bloomberg
01-07-2025
- Health
- Bloomberg
Singapore Disease Testing Helps Fill the Gap Left by US Funding Cuts
Several times a year, a dozen or so health professionals from across Southeast Asia spend a week in Singapore examining human excrement. They scoop sewage out of manholes and bring it back to a bright, sterile lab at the city-state's environmental agency, where they concentrate the wastewater, dribble it into test tubes and evaluate it for pathogens. At these training sessions, organized by Duke-NUS Medical School —a leader in infectious disease research—they learn how to extract genetic materials that might indicate the presence of viruses. The aim of the workshops is to train scientists from the region to identify disease outbreaks and stop them before they can spread. At the end of the weeklong program, the participants head home, where they'll pass their newfound knowledge on to colleagues. 'The training helps equip countries with a skilled workforce to prepare for future pandemics,' says Vincent Pang, an epidemiologist at the Duke-NUS Centre for Outbreak Preparedness.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
MGI Tech Partners with Asia Pathogen Genomics Initiative to Advance Pathogen Genomics for Public Health in Asia
SINGAPORE, June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- MGI Tech Co., Ltd. ("MGI"), a company dedicated to developing core tools and technologies that drive innovation in life sciences, and Asia Pathogen Genomics Initiative ("Asia PGI"), part of the Duke-NUS Centre for Outbreak Preparedness (COP), have recently announced collaboration aimed at enhancing pathogen genomics sequencing efforts across Asia. This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to supporting public health initiatives through advanced life science technology. As part of this collaboration, MGI and Asia PGI will jointly democratize the pathogen genomics sequencing technology in Singapore and across Asia. The collaborative efforts will include hosting webinars to provide practical knowledge in pathogen genomics sequencing and delivering hands-on technical training to institutions and laboratories aimed at improving capacity development in pathogen detection. In addition, MGI also announced the launch of the MGI APAC Pandemic Preparedness Program (PPP) to strengthen the capabilities of genomics institutions and laboratories in pathogen surveillance. In collaboration with Asia PGI, the PPP aims to broaden the scope of pathogen surveillance solutions available to partner countries. The program offers a differentiated and sustainable alternative, focusing on application-centric and workflow-driven solutions. For example, it supports the development of equitable, effective, relevant, and validated workflow solutions to address acute infectious diseases. "At the Duke-NUS Centre for Outbreak Preparedness, we believe that equitable access to pathogen genomic sequencing is fundamental to strengthening health security across South and Southeast Asia," said Paul Pronyk, Director of COP. "By collaborating with industry partners such as MGI, we are committed to ensuring that all communities in our region benefit from the latest advances in pathogen genomics – enabling early detection, informed response and ultimately, a healthier future for all." "We are proud to partner with Asia PGI to accelerate the application of cutting-edge sequencing technology in pathogen genomics," said Roy Tan, General Manager of MGI Asia Pacific. "Pathogen control is a pressing challenge for many countries in Asia. This partnership aims to improve the accessibility of pathogen genomics, empowering researchers and public health professionals in their fight against infectious diseases." In response to the growing demand for rapid and precise detection of infectious diseases, MGI has developed a diverse array of comprehensive products for various applications, including metagenomic sequencing, targeted sequencing, and whole genome sequencing of pathogenic microorganisms. Looking ahead, MGI is committed to continuing its innovation, providing automated, convenient, and efficient core tools for pathogen identification, drug resistance analysis, and traceability. For more information of PPP, please visit: About the Duke-NUS Centre for Outbreak Preparedness (COP) and its Asia Pathogen Genomic Initiative (Asia PGI) The Duke-NUS Centre for Outbreak Preparedness (COP) was established in 2022 to address the growing need for enhanced preparedness and response to infectious disease outbreaks in the Asian region. With a mission to bridge the gap between research, training, policy and practice, COP aims to enhance regional health security across South and Southeast Asia. The Asia Pathogen Genomic Initiative (Asia PGI) is a flagship initiative of COP, aiming to harness scientific and technical partnerships across Singapore and Asia to advance genomic sequencing for infectious disease elimination. For more information, please visit About Duke-NUS Medical School Duke-NUS is Singapore's flagship graduate entry medical school, established in 2005 with a strategic, government-led partnership between two world-class institutions: Duke University School of Medicine and the National University of Singapore (NUS). Through an innovative curriculum, students at Duke-NUS are nurtured to become multi-faceted 'Clinicians Plus' poised to steer the healthcare and biomedical ecosystem in Singapore and beyond. A leader in ground-breaking research and translational innovation, Duke-NUS has gained international renown through its five signature research programmes and 10 centres. The enduring impact of its discoveries is amplified by its successful Academic Medicine partnership with Singapore Health Services (SingHealth), Singapore's largest healthcare group. This strategic alliance has spawned 15 Academic Clinical Programmes, which harness multi-disciplinary research and education to transform medicine and improve lives. For more information, please visit About MGI MGI Tech Co., Ltd. (or its subsidiaries, together referred to as MGI) is committed to building core tools and technologies that drive innovation in life science. Our focus lies in research & development, manufacturing, and sales of instruments, reagents, and related products in the field of life science and biotechnology. We provide real-time, multi-omics, and a full spectrum of digital equipment and systems for precision medicine, agriculture, healthcare, and various other industries. Founded in 2016, MGI has grown into a leader in life science, serving customers across six continents and establishing research, manufacturing, training, and after-sales service facilities globally. MGI stands out as one of the few companies capable of independently developing and mass-producing clinical-grade gene sequencers with varying throughput capacities, ranging from Gb to Tb levels. With unparalleled expertise, cutting-edge products, and a commitment to global impact, MGI continues to shape the trajectory of life sciences into the future. For more information, please visit the MGI website or connect with us on Twitter, LinkedIn or YouTube. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE MGI Tech Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Duke-NUS celebrates 20 years of medical innovation with largest ever graduating class
Duke-NUS Medical School's Class of 2025 graduates 121 medical and doctoral students, including MDs, MD-PhDs, PhDs, and masters' degrees Landmark first batch of Masters in Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality graduates, unique to Southeast Asia Inaugural graduates from conditional admissions pathways with NUS and SUTD 41% of MD and MD-PhD graduates made bold mid-career shifts from fields such as law, PR, accounting and mental health support SINGAPORE, May 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebrating 20 years of transformative medical education, Duke-NUS Medical School graduated its largest cohort yet today, the Class of 2025, in a vibrant ceremony at the Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium in Academia attended by guest-of-honour Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Health. Marking a strategic milestone for Duke-NUS, the graduating class included 72 Doctor of Medicine (MD) graduates—five of whom are also earning PhDs—and 27 PhD candidates from the Integrated Biology and Medicine, Quantitative Biology and Medicine and Clinical and Translational Sciences programmes. Among the MD graduates was the first group of individuals emerging from the Duke-NUS conditional admissions pathways with the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD). These pathways are designed to attract talent from engineering, information technology and other undergraduate programmes. Dean Professor Thomas Coffman said: "Collaborating with seven partner universities, including Duke University and NUS, these pathways are designed to allow students to earn a first degree in diverse academic majors while providing an opportunity to seamlessly transition into medicine. It's a powerful model for developing doctors who are outstanding clinicians but also bring valuable multi-disciplinary skills into our healthcare system." This cohort also includes the inaugural batch of graduates of the Master's in Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality (MPSHQ) programme, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. The MPSHQ is focused on building highly reliable healthcare systems that are of consistent quality and safety. The Class of 2025 represents Duke-NUS' commitment to broadening the skillset and experience of our students, with 41 per cent of MD and MD-PhD graduates having transitioned mid-career from professions that include law, public relations, accounting and mental health peer support. Additionally, 58 per cent of the Class of 2025's graduates are women, underscoring the School's dedication to fostering diversity in the learning environment. Said Dr Faith Wong Pih Yng, previously a modelmaking student and senior peer support specialist at Singapore's Institute of Mental Health, now MD graduate, "Among the many hospital postings, what stood out most vividly was assisting in and witnessing childbirth—the intense anticipation and joy of welcoming a new life into the world was simply unmatched. Ultimately, however, the memories I cherish most are the countless hours spent with my classmates, supporting one another and peer-teaching." Duke-NUS MD graduates received their degrees, awarded jointly by Duke University and the National University of Singapore, in front of friends and family, as well as notable guests, including Duke University School of Medicine Dean Professor Mary Klotman, SingHealth Group CEO Professor Ng Wai Hoe, and keynote speaker, Dr Amy Abernethy, member of Duke University's board of trustees and co-founder of Highlander Health. Caring and compassion underlines the Class of 2025's accomplishments, especially beyond academia. Partaking in a wealth of community service projects, some of their cohort, such as Dr Dana Chow Wai Shin, MD, started the Healthy to Thrive initiative, the first Duke-NUS-led public health screening event dedicated to migrant workers. The cohort was also recognised for their outstanding achievements, which were given out the night before. Awards such as the Singapore Medical Association-Lee Foundation Prizes and Teamsmanship Awards presented to graduates who demonstrated excellence in academics, community service, and leadership. In the aspect of research and scholarship, the Class of 2025 did not flag, publishing an exceptional 253 papers and publications in their time at Duke-NUS, several as first authors in prominent journals such as Nature Medicine, Immunity and EMBO Molecular Medicine. MD-PhD graduate Dr Katherine Nay Yaung, first author on a paper published in Lancet Rheumatology, wrote about artificial intelligence and high-dimensional technologies to diagnose and treat autoimmune diseases, and PhD graduate Dr Aishwarya Prakash, named first author and published in American Heart Association Journal, who found a type of peptide to have protective qualities for the heart after sustaining damage. "The conversations I've had with patients emphasise a shift towards continuity of care and empowering individuals to make their own health choices. In moments where I feel overwhelmed, I remind myself that being a small part of each patient's journey has been a privilege," said Dr Pang Wui Ming Jeremy, recipient of the SingHealth Prize in Family Medicine, Singapore Medical Association-Lee Foundation Teamsmanship Award for exemplary team values in medicine and Duke-NUS Achievement Prize. As Duke-NUS enters its third decade, the School continues to redefine medical education and research, nurturing the next generation of healthcare leaders who are not just exceptional doctors but visionary innovators ready to make an impact in Singapore and beyond. About Duke-NUS Medical School Duke-NUS is Singapore's flagship graduate-entry medical school, established in 2005 with a strategic, government-led partnership between two world-class institutions: Duke University School of Medicine and the National University of Singapore (NUS). Through an innovative curriculum, students at Duke-NUS are nurtured to become multi-faceted 'Clinicians Plus' poised to steer the healthcare and biomedical ecosystem in Singapore and beyond. A leader in ground-breaking research and translational innovation, Duke-NUS has gained international renown through its five Signature Research Programmes and ten Centres. The enduring impact of its discoveries is amplified by its successful Academic Medicine partnership with Singapore Health Services (SingHealth), Singapore's largest healthcare group. This strategic alliance has led to the creation of 15 Academic Clinical Programmes, which harness multi-disciplinary research and education to transform medicine and improve lives. For more information, please visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Duke-NUS Medical School Sign in to access your portfolio
CNA
29-05-2025
- General
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - #TalkBack: How can we make it safer for our elderly as pedestrians and on public transport?
CNA938 Rewind Play In 2024, the elderly were involved in 42.3 percent of all fatal traffic accidents involving pedestrians. They move and react slower, but pay the price faster. With a growing aging population, can we do more to protect our elderly? Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin discuss further with Dr Ad Maulod, Principal Research Scientist, Duke-NUS Medical School's Centre for Ageing Research and Education.
