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Closing infectious premises and declaring certain areas off-limits in the event of a public-health emergency are included in the proposals.

Amendments to the current law are expected to be introduced to Parliament in January.

In the event of a flu pandemic, "We need wider powers," The Straits Times quoted Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan as saying.

The proposed changes would give the ministry greater powers to prevent, control and investigate outbreaks, including closing down premises suspected of spreading infectious diseases, suspending businesses and destroying infected food, water or animals.

The ministry would be able to declare a public-health emergency if there is an outbreak of an infectious disease that can kill or disable a significant number of people.

Declaring an emergency would only come as a last resort after media messages and public-education efforts fail to persuade people to restrict their movements, Khaw said.

The 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) led to some revisions of the law, but a flu virus would require faster and more drastic action.

There has not been a single death in Singapore among humans or poultry from the deadly bird-flu virus, despite the scourge in the region.

Deutsche Presse-Agentur