5 dengue deaths, number of cases more than doubled to almost 5,800 so far in 2020: NEA
SINGAPORE — The Ministry of Health (MOH) has been notified of five dengue deaths so far in 2020, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said on Monday, as it warned that the number of infection cases has surged recently.
The five fatalities were of ages ranged between 60 and 80 years, and all resided or worked within dengue cluster areas. In 2019, 21 dengue deaths were reported to MOH.
The number of dengue cases in 2020 as at mid-April is already almost 5,800, more than double that over the same period in 2019, the NEA noted.
On a weekly basis, the number of dengue cases remain high, hovering around 300 to 400 cases per week.
“With the traditional dengue peak season coming up from May to September, the number of dengue cases in 2020 is projected to exceed the 16,000 cases in 2019, unless immediate measures are taken to suppress the Aedes mosquito population,” the NEA said.
As such, the NEA called for immediate measures to suppress the Aedes mosquito population and urgent stepped-up community action against dengue – necessary even amid the COVID-19 circuit breaker period.
“With most people working from home during this circuit breaker period, home owners and occupants are advised to pay more attention to any mosquito breeding at home, take the necessary steps to remove breeding sites, and ensure proper housekeeping.”
The NEA said it will be stepping up its inspections of common properties, especially drains, as well as construction sites.
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