Dengue cases down 17.3% in 2014: Vivian Balakrishnan

Channel NewsAsia 11 Mar 15;

SINGAPORE: There were 18,335 dengue cases last year, down 17.3 per cent from 22,170 in 2013. But Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan called for vigilance, with the mosquito-borne disease remaining a threat to public health.

In January and February this year, there were 1,637 dengue cases reported - 40 per cent fewer than the 2,725 cases for the same period last year, Dr Balakrishnan said at the 2015 Committee of Supply debates in Parliament on Wednesday (Mar 11).

He reiterated that the ministry's key strategy is to eliminate mosquito breeding. Last year, the National Environment Agency carried out more than 3.5 million inspections island-wide with more than 850 staff conducting them at homes, constructions sites and public areas.

MEWR also issued 1,148 Notices to Attend Court and 132 Stop Work Orders in 2014 - a two-fold increase from the year before, the minister said.

"But NEA cannot do this alone. It is not possible for NEA officers to be everywhere all the time. We need everyone to also stay vigilant and keep their premises free of mosquito breeding habitats," he added.

As for measures to combat dengue, Dr Balakrishnan said the ministry is following up on the recommendations made by the Dengue Expert Advisory Panel. It is exploring the use of the Wolbachia bacteria as a "novel but safe" biological control method to suppress the local mosquito population.

"NEA is also working closely with MOH to monitor the development of dengue vaccines," said the minister. "Let me assure you that we will only proceed with these new measures if we are sure of their safety and effectiveness."

- CNA/kk