Chikungunya hard to wipe out in Singapore: Khaw

Jamie Ee Wen Wei, Straits Times 27 Jan 08;

THE Health Minister is not holding out much hope that the chikungunya virus will be stamped out here as he announced an 11th victim yesterday.

Mr Khaw Boon Wan said he had been keeping his fingers crossed that the mosquito-borne disease would not surface here.

But it was 'a matter of time'' before it arrived, given that it had taken root in neighbouring countries, he said. Thousands of people in Sumatra, Indonesia were infected with the virus last month, while Malaysia was hit with an outbreak in Perak two years ago. Thirty villagers were infected then.

Patient No. 11 is a Singaporean who lives in MacPherson but works in Little India.

The speculation is that he caught the disease while waiting for a bus in Little India, outside of the Clive Street cluster, which was where the first 10 patients lived and worked, indicating that the transmission area could have spread.

Environment and health officers are combing the area within a 150m radius of the bus-stop, and taking blood samples from those living there.

Close to 1,800 people have been screened for the virus, since the first case surfaced in Clive Street two weeks ago.

Last week, the National Environment Agency extended its operations beyond Clive Street, to the area bounded by Rochor Road, Race Course Road, Lavender Street and Jalan Besar. Officers destroyed 63 mosquito breeding grounds.

To combat transmission, patients who still have the virus circulating in their blood have been isolated in the Communicable Disease Centre (CDC).

Hospitalisation is meant to shield them from being bitten again by mosquitoes that will become new agents of the virus and spread it further.

On Monday, the Health Ministry appointed the CDC's clinical director, Associate Professor Leo Yee Sin, as a Health Officer.

This grants her the legal powers to quarantine anyone suspected to be infected with chikungunya, to search any premises where an outbreak is suspected, and to seize samples of any substances for tests without a warrant.

A rare form of viral fever, chikungunya is spread by the Aedes mosquito. The name 'chikungunya' comes from Africa's Swahili language and refers to a stooped posture developed as a result of arthritic symptoms of the disease.

Its symptoms include fever, joint pains and a rash. It is rarely fatal.

Efforts notwithstanding, Mr Khaw told reporters at the launch of the $19m Woodlands Waterfront yesterday that he was not optimistic about the chances of eradicating the virus.

One indication of success: if there were no new cases for 20 days after the last infection.

Both dengue and chikungunya are carried by the Aedes mosquito, he noted, which meant that the best defence is keeping the environment clean and getting rid of mosquito breeding grounds.

'So please don't keep mosquitoes as your pets, just remove them...we cannot eliminate it but I think we can minimise the problem,' he said.

Free virus test in affected area, but not all are keen
Mavis Toh, Straits Times 27 Jan 08;

1,795 people in Clive Street area checked so far; NEA has widened area of coverage

WHEN health experts said he was in a risk zone for an infectious disease, Mr Syed Hussain did not need much convincing to take 30 minutes off work for a blood test.

National Environment Agency (NEA) officers visited Mr Syed, 35, in his Campbell Lane CD shop on Thursday and told him that he may have been exposed to the chikungunya virus.

They advised him to get the test done at a booth in Tekka Mall the next day.

'It's better to go for the check to play safe and it's free,' he said.

While some, like Mr Syed, took the agency's advice, others weren't so keen.

Gold-shop owner K.S. Oh, 42, felt the test was not necessary because he keeps his shop clean. 'I haven't been bitten; my shop is very clean,' he said. 'Besides, we're busy; there's no time to go down.'

His four employees all skipped the blood test.

The tests are not compulsory but 1,795 people in the Clive Street area have been checked so far.

It reflects the increased level of concern about the virus, which has symptoms similar to dengue - including joint pains, fever, chills, nausea and vomiting. It is also spread by the Aedes mosquito.

The first 10 victims were all linked to the Clive Street area. But the 11th victim, a Singaporean who was identified late last week, lives in the MacPherson area. His workplace is opposite the old KK Hospital and he is suspected to have contracted the virus while waiting at a bus stop in the area.

NEA has extended tests to people living or working beyond the Clive Street precinct.

Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said yesterday that a 150m radius had been drawn from the bus stop and people in the area will be tested.

At press time, neither the NEA nor the Health Ministry could tell The Sunday Times the location of the bus stop.

The NEA also said that the rain gutters of more than half of the buildings along Clive Street and in the vicinity will be removed.

These would be gutters which are in a poor condition or are on buildings where the owners show clear signs of being unable to maintain the premises properly.

Gutters can collect rain water and become prime breeding sites for the Aedes mosquito.

Owners who do not comply with removal orders could face fines of up to $20,000 or three months in jail.

Madam Y.A. Tan, 73, a shophouse owner in Clive Street, has been told to remove her gutters by Chinese New Year next month.

'It's so troublesome; I must pay for a contractor to remove it,' she said. 'If my neighbours remove, I will. If they don't, I won't either.'

NEA working with more government agencies to control Chikungunya virus
Channel NewsAsia 27 Jan 08;

SINGAPORE : The National Environment Agency (NEA) is working with more government agencies to prevent the Chikungunya virus from spreading.

NEA officers are clearing up Little India as fast as possible, says Environment and Water Resources Minister Dr Yaacob Ibrahim.

This will make it easier for PUB to flush the drains to prevent stagnant water - ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes.

Dr Yaacob says the Land Transport Authority and Urban Redevelopment Authority are also involved.

Nearly 1,800 people in the Clive Street area have volunteered for free Chikungunya virus tests.

But Dr Yaacob says compulsory health checks in affected areas are not necessary at the moment.

He says: "It is not an epidemic yet. It's not like SARS. Let's be candid. We will consider all options depending on development of the matter. We have not put everything aside, everything is on the table, we think things can be controlled at this point in time." - CNA/ch