{
  "id": 4982910,
  "title": "Singapore influenza cases climb as positivity rate hits 36.6pc, health agency monitors situation",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/singapore-influenza-cases-climb-as-positivity-rate-hits-36-6pc-health",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-02T01:25:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/singapore/2026/09/02/singapore-influenza-cases-climb-as-positivity-rate-hits-366pc-health-agency-monitors-situation/233598"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Singapore reported a rise in influenza cases, with the positivity rate reaching 36.6 percent in the week from August 16 to 22, 2026, according to the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA). This is an increase from 24.0 percent in the previous week. The CDA stated that there were no signs of the infections being more severe than usual. They emphasized that the current positivity levels are still below last year's peak of 43.9 percent, which occurred in January 2025. The CDA is keeping a close eye on the situation, as it mentioned in a statement on Tuesday. The agency's national surveillance data shows that seasonal influenza viruses circulate throughout the year, with higher activity periods typically between May and August and December and March. These patterns generally align with the winter seasons in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, although the timing can vary due to factors like international travel and population mixing patterns. The CDA recommended that individuals at higher risk of developing severe influenza infections and vulnerable groups with underlying medical conditions receive their annual influenza vaccinations.",
  "summary": "SINGAPORE, Sept 2 — Singapore recorded an increase in influenza cases, with the positivity rate rising to 36.6 per cent...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Influenza cases rise in Singapore; CDA says infections not more severe than usual",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/influenza-cases-rise-in-singapore-cda-says-infections-not-more-severe-4817272",
        "published": "2026-09-01T07:30:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Straits Times",
        "title": "Jump in number of influenza cases here but no indications infections more severe than usual: CDA",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/jump-in-number-of-influenza-cases-here-but-no-indications-infections",
        "published": "2026-09-01T07:59:16.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}