Vimita Mohandas Channel NewsAsia 16 Apr 13;
The National Environment Agency (NEA) said Tuesday that the number of dengue cases could hit an all-time high of more than 1000 when the peak season starts in May.
SINGAPORE: The National Environment Agency (NEA) said Tuesday that the number of dengue cases could hit an all-time high of more than 1000 when the peak season starts in May, cautioning that the country may face its worst ever dengue epidemic.
This is in contrast to about 700 cases reported during the 2005 peak season.
Over 490 dengue cases were reported last week – an eight year high - and NEA said that the situation could worsen as dengue season approaches.
Associate Professor Ng Lee Ching, director of the Environmental Health Institute at NEA said: ”What we have seen is that there's Dengue-1, genetically quite different from the previous outbreak and it seems to have a pretty high epidemic potential as well. Dengue-1 has replaced Dengue-2 as the predominant serotype in Singapore, which gives us an early warning of the outbreak.
“Looking at the trend, we are going into the hot season with a high base so we cannot rule out the possibility that we will see a higher number of cases than 2005.”
In light of the surge in numbers, the Ministry of Health has assured the public that there will be enough beds for the more serious cases.
Meanwhile, some hospitals like Changi General Hospital have adopted innovative ways to control the number of patients admitted.
Associate Professor Mohan Tiru, chief and senior consultant at Changi General Hospital’s A&E Department said: “Since 2009, we have developed a very effective clinical pathway which takes care of the majority of dengue cases outside the emergency department of the hospital. When the diagnosis for these patients are made, they are then referred using evidence-based guidelines to our primary care partners, be it polyclinic doctors or GPs."
This has resulted in a 20 per cent drop in the number of patients admitted to the hospital.
To stem the problem, NEA will be rolling out the "Do the Mozzie Wipeout" campaign, calling on all in the community to do their part to do prevent dengue.
The campaign aims to promote awareness of the dengue situation, inspire action to prevent dengue and encourage advocacy through social media and word of mouth.
NEA has also found an increased number of breeding spots on the premises.
As of 30 March, homes make up 67 per cent of the breeding habitats detected while public places accounted for 27.6 per cent. Construction sites make up 5.4 per cent.
NEA said it will be a challenging year ahead as the population has a low immunity against dengue.
- CNA/ck/ir/jc
Dengue cases could double
Woo Sian Boon Today Online 17 Apr 13;
SINGAPORE — The National Environment Agency (NEA) has warned that the number of dengue cases reported last week — 492 or an eight-year weekly high — could worsen in five weeks.
In a projection based on weather factors, mosquito breeding, previous dengue cases and seasonality, it estimated that numbers could double and possibly even breach 1,000 casesa week, before Singapore hits peak transmission season.
At a media briefing yesterday, Director of NEA’s Environment Health Institute Ng Lee Ching said: “492 cases a week is unprecedented for this part of the year, so we are entering the dengue season with a high base.”
While there is “a lot of uncertainty when it comes to modelling”, Ms Ng said that “with this trend, we cannot rule out the possibility that we will see a weekly number greater than that in 2005”. The peak dengue season usually occurs between May and October. In September 2005, the number of cases surged to an all-time high of 713.
The Environment Health Institute’s data have shown that the three dengue strains currently circulating have higher rates of transmission, signalling higher epidemic potential. In addition, Dengue Strain 1 — which the population has lower immunity against — has replaced Strain 2 as the predominant strain of infection.
To provide timely information in cluster zones, the NEA will be installing banners with colour codes indicating the seriousness of the situation from April 28.
A red-alert banner indicates a high-risk area with over 10 cases discovered, a yellow-alert banner refers to fewer than 10 cases, while a green banner means the area is in the clear but will be monitored for the next 21 days.
Said NEA’s Director of General Public Health Derek Ho: “Through this graduated alert system, we hope residents can take a greater interest in what’s happening in their neighbourhoods.”
For example, if on yellow alert, residents should do the five-step Mozzie Wipeout at least once a week, apply repellent and spray insecticide in the dark corners of their homes.
As of last week, 2,799 homes were found to be breeding mosquitos, with a spike in the number of breeding sites at HDB flats, apartments and condominiums. Since the beginning of this year, the NEA has fined 100 homeowners for breeding mosquitoes.
As part of the campaign, about 800 volunteers will be trained to educate residents to look out for and eradicate potential breeding spots.
At a forum held earlier this month, a participant suggested imposing stiffer fines on homeowners found to be breeding mosquitoes, a move Environment and Water Resources Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said he would consider.
When asked, Mr Ho yesterday reiterated that this “is under review”.
Members of Parliament (MP) TODAY spoke to said heftier fines cannot be the only solution.
Nee Soon GRC MP Lee Bee Wah said more efforts should be channelled to “instill(ing) a sense of emergency” in residents to encourage them to do their part for the community.
Added Mountbatten MP Lim Biow Chuan: “I believe many people are complacent rather than deliberate in allowing mosquitoes to breed ... greater awareness ... would be a better solution.” Woo Sian Boon
NEA to roll out new dengue alert system
Woo Sian Boon Today Online 17 Apr 13;
SINGAPORE — The National Environment Agency (NEA) will be rolling out a three-colour code community alert system displayed on banners to provide timely information of the dengue situation at cluster areas.
Using traffic light colours of green, yellow (less than 10 dengue cases) and red (more than 10 cases) to indicate the seriousness of the situation, the colours will signal corresponding preventive measures to take.
These include doing the five-step Mozzie Wipeout exercise, which includes applying repellent and spraying insecticide in dark corners at home.
The campaign, which will be rolled on Sunday, is part of the government’s effort to engage and encourage the community to do their part in containing the transmission of dengue.
Some 492 dengue cases were reported in the week ending April 13, surpassing the previous record set in 2005. WOO SIAN BOON
Roping in all to stop the spread
NEA launches mozzie wipeout drive, 'traffic-light' system in affected areas
Sabrina Tiong Straits Times 17 Apr 13;
MARK your calendar: Sunday is "mozzie wipeout" day.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) is stepping up the fight against dengue fever by roping in residents to clear potential mosquito breeding spots every Sunday, starting from next week.
More than 1,000 volunteers will fan out across Singapore, knocking on doors to remind residents to carry out checks, such as changing water in vases and overturning containers.
They will not inspect homes but may help to clear potential breeding sites in public areas.
At the same time, the NEA will also introduce a "traffic light" colour-coded banners in dengue clusters. There will be three alert levels - red, yellow and green - to indicate the severity of the situation and the steps that will be taken.
These efforts are part of the NEA's "Do The Mozzie Wipeout" campaign, unveiled yesterday as weekly dengue infections hit 492 last week, a record high this year.
Experts have warned that the dengue situation could worsen as the typical peak dengue season - during the hotter months of May to August - approaches.
The NEA said its campaign comes at a "crucial moment when community support is critical to stop the chain of dengue transmission".
"If everybody does it together in a concerted manner, it is one way in which we can gather as a community to help break the transmission cycle, break the mosquito breeding cycle as well as break dengue transmission in the localised community," said NEA director-general of public health Derek Ho at yesterday's event.
Residential areas account for 67 per cent of breeding areas detected despite the NEA sending out 850 officers to inspect homes, distribute pamphlets and fine offenders when larvae are found.
To help roll out the new campaign, the agency, which has around 800 volunteers, will rope in more people by enlisting the help of community partners such as the People's Association.
About 200 will attend a workshop on Satuday to learn about the virus, how it is transmitted and its common breeding spots.
To further raise public vigilance against dengue, the NEA's new " traffic light" scheme will inform residents of the situation in their area. For instance, an active cluster with less than 10 cases will be labelled yellow, while red signals a high-risk area with more than 10 cases.
Banners will be put up in the affected areas and reminders will be issued to residents to advise them on the appropriate measures to take.
If no new cases are found in a span of two weeks, the area will be declared "green".
Facebook, Twitter, bloggers and app developers will all be called upon by the NEA in its bid to raise awareness.
Housewife Julie Lim, who lives at Tampines Street 91, which is near a dengue hot spot, is all for the new campaign.
Said the 53-year-old: "I have stopped keeping potted plants. I also check my pails and basins every day. So it won't be a hassle for me.
"Every day is a mozzie wipeout day for me."
Alert levels and action to take
YELLOW: High-risk area with less than 10 cases
Residents should do the mozzie wipeout once a week.
Apply repellent and wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.
Spray insecticide in dark corners such as under the bed, sofa and curtains at home.
NEA will send out cluster alerts to advisers and grassroot leaders. Grassroots members will conduct house visits and notices will be put up at lift lobbies.
General practitioners in the area will be alerted on the dengue situation.
RED: High-risk area with 10 or more cases
Residents should increase the frequency of the mozzie wipeout to every alternate day.
Besides applying repellent and spraying insecticide, residents should also take part in NEA campaign activities in the area.
GREEN: No new cases, under surveillance for the next 21 days
Residents should still do the mozzie wipeout once a week and spray insecticide in dark corners.
NEA officers will continue to monitor the situation.
