Channel NewsAsia 28 Oct 13;
SINGAPORE: The latest numbers from the National Environment Agency (NEA) show that there were 496 dengue cases reported from October 20-26.
This was a sharp increase from the previous week, when 374 cases were reported from October 13-19.
Since the beginning of the year, there have been 18,643 dengue cases reported.
Last week, the NEA declared the Orchard Road area a red zone for dengue after more than 18 cases were reported there.
As of Monday, there were 46 cases.
- CNA/ec
Almost 500 cases of dengue last week
Straits Times 30 Oct 13;
THE start of the rainy season has brought with it a surge in dengue cases.
Almost 500 cases were reported last week, said the National Environment Agency (NEA) in a press release yesterday.
This latest figure also points to a larger trend seen since early this month, when mosquito breeding in homes increased by 15 per cent.
The situation is even graver in construction sites, with a 30 per cent climb in dengue cases during the same period.
The NEA attributes the upward trend to the start of the rainy season, when there would be more pockets of stagnant water.
This year, up till Oct 5, 34 contractors overseeing construction sites with multiple breeding habitats and poor sanitation and hygiene practices have been charged in court.
Additionally, 20 contractors have been penalised with fines which total $1.3 million.
"NEA has been working in partnership with the Singapore Contractors Association Limited (SCAL) to educate and disseminate advisories to their members on mosquito control measures in worksites," said an NEA spokesman.
The agency has carried out more than four million home inspections and over 9,000 construction site checks for dengue-inducing habitats.
"Increased fines and court prosecutions cannot be the primary solution.
"Consequently, we need increased vigilance by everyone to eliminate mosquito breeding," added the spokesman.
The NEA also reminds residents to remember to "mosquito proof" their homes before leaving for vacations abroad.
RACHEL TAN
Rainy season could have caused spike in dengue cases: NEA
Today Online 30 Oct 13;
SINGAPORE — The onset of the rainy season could have caused an increase in the incidence of dengue, said the National Environment Agency (NEA) today (Oct 29).
The NEA said detected a 15 per cent increase in the number of cases of mosquito breeding in homes and a 30 per cent increase in construction sites early this month. Last week, 496 dengue cases were reported, a sharp increase from the previous week’s 374 cases.
As of Oct 5, the NEA has carried out more than four million inspections in homes and over 9,000 inspections in construction sites. Thirty-four contractors have been charged in court, and 20 contractors have been penalised with fines totalling S$1.3 million.
THe NEA said it has also issued 18 Stop Work Orders at sites with multiple breeding habitats and poor housekeeping practices.
“In view of the deteriorating situation, NEA will step up enforcement actions against errant contractors. NEA will work with the Singapore Contractors Association Limited (SCAL) to implement appropriate mosquito control regimes within construction sites,” added the agency.
The NEA also urged members of the public to be vigilant in preventing mosquito breeding in their homes, worksites and neighbourhoods.
