Today 29 Jun 16;
SINGAPORE — The number of new dengue cases in Singapore has risen again, with 215 cases reported in the week ending June 25, according to the latest figures on the National Environment Agency’s (NEA) dengue website.
Nearly 9,000 dengue cases have been reported in Singapore since the start of the year.
The authorities had previously said that the number could exceed 30,000 — much higher than the record 22,170 cases in 2013.
Five people have died of the mosquito-borne disease so far this year — the same number as the whole of 2014.
There are now 36 active dengue clusters in Singapore — up from 32 the previous week — including seven that are classified as high-risk.
The biggest cluster is in the area around Geylang and Guillemard Road, where 99 cases have been reported, including one in the past fortnight.
Noting that Singapore is now in the traditional peak season for dengue, the NEA called on the public to continue to be vigilant.
“The majority of mosquito breeding habitats are still being found in homes, such as in domestic containers, flower pot plates and trays,” the NEA said on its website.
Since March 14, the NEA has extended its enforcement regime to all residences found to be breeding mosquitoes — whether they are within or outside dengue clusters — to ensure that all homeowners take immediate steps to remove and prevent mosquito breeding in their premises.
It also encourages the public to help stop the dengue transmission cycle by doing the five-step Mozzie Wipeout on alternate days, such as changing water in vases and bowls and removing water from flower pot plates.
Dengue cases in first half of 2016 twice the number in same period last year: NEA
Channel NewsAsia 30 Jun 16;
SINGAPORE: As of last Saturday (Jun 25), 8,900 dengue cases have been reported in the Republic this year, more than twice last year's figure of 4,100 for the same period, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said in a press release on Thursday.
As Singapore reaches its traditional peak dengue season, the agency added that it is anticipating an upward trend in the number of dengue cases in the coming months.
Last week, 215 dengue cases were reported, 22 more than in the previous week. Five people have died of the disease this year so far – a 47-year-old man who lived in Marsiling Rise, a 67-year-old man who lived in Toa Payoh, a 63-year-old woman who lived in Bedok, a 73-year-old woman who lived in Hougang, and in the latest case, a 79-year-old man who lived in Kaki Bukit.
NEA urged the public to "stay vigilant and continue to work as a community to prevent dengue cases from rising", noting an increase in the Aedes mosquito population and the number of breeding habitats uncovered in the past two months.
"NEA’s Gravitrap data has shown a steady increase in the Aedes aegypti mosquito population in our community in the last two months. Since April, we have observed 50 per cent more Aedes aegypti mosquitoes caught in Gravitraps that have been deployed islandwide," the agency said in its news release.
"The number of Aedes aegypti breeding found in homes during our regular inspections has also seen a 50 per cent increase in the last two months. These indicate an abundance of the mosquito vector in our community."
As a "large proportion" of the population is susceptible to contracting dengue due to the lack of immunity, an increase in the Aedes mosquito population could lead to a surge in dengue cases unless measures are taken to suppress the Aedes mosquito population, NEA said, adding that all stakeholders need to ensure that their premises are free of stagnant water, which could lead to mosquitoes breeding, and step up efforts to stem the transmission of the disease.
The agency said that as of May 31, it had conducted over 544,000 inspections islandwide and destroyed more than 6,800 mosquito breeding sites. Most of the breeding sites were found in homes, especially in domestic containers and flower pots.
"NEA is closely monitoring areas with active transmission of dengue and the transmission patterns. Together with the Inter-Agency Dengue Task Force, as well as all town councils, we have been continuing efforts to rid public areas and housing estates of potential mosquito breeding habitats," it said.
The statutory board is focusing its inspections on areas with a higher potential for dengue transmissions, such as construction sites, and detected mosquito breeding in nine per cent of its 2,900 inspections conducted at construction sites, it said. It has issued more than 290 construction site-related notices to attend court and more than 30 stop work orders, it revealed in the press release.
NEA advised residents living in dengue cluster areas to continue with the use of repellent to lower the risk of contracting dengue, and practice the five-step "Do the Mozzie Wipeout" to prevent mosquito breeding.
Dengue patients should continue to protect themselves from mosquito bites by applying repellent regularly, and those showing symptoms suggestive of dengue should see their doctors early to be diagnosed," the agency said, adding that those planning to go overseas for vacation should mosquito-proof their homes before they travel.
- CNA/mz
Number of dengue cases rises for third week in a row
Channel NewsAsia 5 Jul 16;
SINGAPORE: The number of new dengue cases in Singapore has risen for the third week in a row, with 235 cases in the week ending Jul 2 compared to 215 the previous week, according to latest figures on the National Environment Agency’s (NEA) dengue website.
Another 29 cases were reported between Jul 3 and 3pm on Jul 4.
In total, 9,174 dengue cases have been reported in Singapore since the start of the year. At least five people have died of the disease so far – a 47-year-old man who lived in Marsiling Rise, a 67-year-old man who lived in Toa Payoh, a 63-year-old woman who lived in Bedok, a 73-year-old woman who lived in Hougang, and in the latest case, a 79-year-old man who lived in Kaki Bukit.
There are now 36 active dengue clusters in Singapore – same as the previous week – including seven classified as high-risk. The biggest cluster is in the area around Admiralty Drive and Sembawang Drive, where 42 cases have been reported, including two in the past fortnight.
In an advisory on its dengue website, NEA called for vigilance from homeowners to prevent mosquito breeding amid the traditional peak season for dengue in Singapore.
Last week, the authority said the number of cases in the first half of the year was more than twice the same period the previous year, adding that it is anticipating an upward trend in the number of dengue cases in the coming months.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) and NEA have warned that the number of dengue cases in Singapore may exceed 30,000 this year, higher than the record of 22,170 reported in 2013.
Singapore also reported its first case of the Zika virus in May. The patient, a 48-year-old male Permanent Resident who lives in Bukit Timah’s Watten Estate, had travelled to Sao Paulo in Brazil and developed a fever and rash three days after his return.
Although the patient was discharged from hospital after making a full recovery, MOH and NEA have said there is still a possibility of secondary infection.
- CNA/mz
