2013 dengue outbreaks in Malaysia, S'pore associated with serotype switch

Channel NewsAsia 13 Sep 14;

SINGAPORE: The dengue virus surveillance joint effort between Malaysia and Singapore under the UNITEDengue (UNited In Tackling Epidemic Dengue) has shown that the 2013 outbreaks in Malaysia and Singapore were associated with a switch in the predominant virus serotypes.

A joint statement by the Singapore's National Environment Agency and Malaysia's Health Ministry said in Singapore on Saturday (Sep 13) that the predominantly circulating virus serotype switched from DENV-2 to DENV-1 at the beginning of 2013. Malaysia, however, saw an increase in the dominance of DENV-2 in its dengue cases.

In 2013, Malaysia recorded over 43,000 cases with 92 deaths, while Singapore reported over 22,000 cases with seven deaths. In Singapore, the DENV-1 remains the predominant dengue virus.

But the number of dengue cases carrying the second most common strain DENV-2 in Singapore has been on the rise since July 2014. The statement said the authorities are watching this development closely, as the spread of the DENV-2 virus may result in a serotype switch here. This could potentially lead to a new wave of infections.

The DENV-2 virus strain is predominant in Malaysia especially in the southern states of Johor and Malacca. It has also been associated with higher reported fatality cases in the two states.

- CNA/al