I REFER to the recent case of a 22-year-old undergraduate from Singapore Management University (SMU), who is the first confirmed Influenza A (H1N1) case in Singapore.

SMU defended its decision to allow a group of students, which the undergraduate belonged to, to go to New York for a study trip. I echo Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan, who asked if the trip was an unnecessary risk.

Having faced the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak in 2003 and following the recent H1N1 outbreak, many organisations in Singapore have stepped up measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

I applaud the organisations which have taken such precautions and condemn those which are complacent, just because H1N1 flu appears to be mild and the Health Ministry has lowered the alert level from orange to yellow.

While we trust the Government's ability to manage the disease, strong support from the community is essential as well.

As an academic institution, SMUshould have exercised a greater degree of social responsibility.

Miss Bay Sheau Rou

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