18 new cases of chikungunya fever reported

Wong Siew Ying, Channel NewsAsia 17 Sep 08;

SINGAPORE : The Ministry of Health (MOH) said 18 new cases of chikungunya fever have been reported, bringing the total number of cases to 218 as of September 17.

Most of the patients have since recovered, except for a few recent cases who are still hospitalised.

Of the 18 new cases, 5 are imported as the victims had a history of travel to Malaysia.

Among the remaining 13 local cases, 9 were found in two new clusters.

One cluster was at Bah Soon Pah Road where 7 construction workers developed symptoms between September 6 and 14, and were admitted to hospital.

A couple in their 60s came down with chikungunya fever in the second new cluster Bang Kit Road.

MOH said the other 4 cases were linked to existing clusters in Lim Chu Kang and Sungei Kadut.

The National Environment Agency continues to conduct checks in those areas to eradicate mosquito breeding sites.

MOH advises persons who develop symptoms of chikungunya - which include fever, joint pain and rashes - to consult their doctors immediately. - CNA /ls

2 new chikungunya clusters found
Straits Times 18 Sep 08;

TWO new chikungunya clusters were discovered last week in Bah Soon Pah Road, off Sembawang Road, and Bangkit Road in the Bukit Panjang area.

The Ministry of Health said yesterday that seven construction workers living or working in Bah Soon Pah Road were hospitalised after coming down with symptoms linked to the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus.

At Bangkit Road, an elderly couple also developed symptoms and sought outpatient treatment. They have since recovered.

Investigations by the National Environment Agency (NEA) found a total of 15 mosquito breeding sites in Bah Soon Pah Road and Bangkit Road, providing fertile ground for the chikungunya virus.

The latest cases brought to 18 the number of new cases discovered over the last six days.

The total number of cases so far this year has reached 218.

About half of these cases involved travellers or workers from Malaysia and Indonesia who came back with the illness.

The NEA said its officers would continue their search-and-destroy operations in the identified clusters, including Kranji Way, Sungei Kadut and Lim Chu Kang.

There are 50 NEA officers in Kranji Way alone every day.

This hot spot has had 41 chikungunya infections to date, and 81 detected mosquito breeding sites.

Health officials urge anyone who develops symptoms such as fever, joint pains and rashes to see a doctor immediately.

Owners of premises who do not comply with orders to take steps to prevent mosquito breeding can be fined up to $50,000.

APRIL CHONG