Singapore will conduct a multi- agency exercise on the coming Friday and Saturday to test its Flu Pandemic Readiness and Response Plan, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Health (MOH) Monday.

Code-named SPARROWHAWK II, the exercise will involve more than 1,000 personnel from 21 ministries and agencies including the MOH, the Ministry of Education, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, Immigration and Checkpoint Authority and Maritime Port Authority.

To be rolled out at 19 locations such as the Changi Airport, the Tuas Land Checkpoint, as well as hospitals and other medical institutions, the two-day emergency exercise will simulate an escalation of a flu pandemic caused by the Avian Influenza infection in human.

"Through this joint effort, we aim to strengthen the public health defense in the event of a possible flu pandemic and to gear up our national surveillance, response and operational capabilities," the statement said.

To enhance preparedness for a flu pandemic, the MOH has conducted a series of table-top and live exercises with individual public and private hospitals in May and June this year.

Source: Xinhua