New dengue cases rise again after two-week decline

There are now 37 active dengue clusters in Singapore, including six classified as high-risk.
Channel NewsAsia 7 Jun 16;

SINGAPORE: A total of 220 new dengue cases were reported in Singapore in the week ending Jun 4, 22 cases more than the week before, according to latest figures published on the National Environment Agency’s (NEA) dengue website.

Another 25 cases were reported between Jun 5 and 3.30pm on Jun 6.

A total of 8,373 dengue cases have been reported in Singapore since the start of the year. 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 37 active dengue clusters in Singapore, including six classified as high-risk. The biggest cluster is in the area around Geylang and Guillemard Road. A total of 86 cases have been reported in the area, including nine in the past fortnight.

Dengue is spread via the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. In an advisory on its dengue website, NEA called for vigilance from homeowners to prevent mosquito breeding as Singapore enters the traditional dengue peak season. The majority of mosquito breeding habitats are still being found in homes, such as in domestic containers, flower pot plates and trays, it said.

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 last month, which is also transmitted via the Aedes mosquito. 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 has been discharged from hospital after making a full recovery, MOH and NEA have said there is still a possibility of secondary infection.

- CNA/cy