Dengue cases: Weekly cases remain high, as mosquito breeding sites in residences doubled in January compared to 2023

SINGAPORE — The number of Aedes mosquito breeding habitats found in residential homes have doubled in January, compared to the same month in 2023, as weekly dengue cases remained high in Singapore.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) said that as of Wednesday (14 February), more than 2,600 dengue cases have been reported in 2024. There were 515 dengue cases reported in the week ending 10 February, more than double the weekly number of cases in December 2023.

"The steady rise in weekly dengue cases over the past 10 weeks is a big concern, and is likely driven by intense disease transmission in areas with high Aedes mosquito population. Our population’s low herd immunity to all four Dengue virus serotypes is also a contributing factor," said the agency.

NEA found mosquito breeding sites in homes such as domestic containers like pails, flowerpot plates and trays, and ornamental containers like vases. Breeding sites were also found at construction sites like ground puddles and canvas sheets, and public areas such as drains and discarded receptacles.

Dengue clusters in Boon Lay and Pasir Ris

In Boon Lay, 174 mosquito breeding sites were identified with 101 of them in homes, as NEA continued to find breeding sites more than three months after the dengue cluster was found. A particular case last December saw the agency uncover two mop pails, containing over 1,000 mosquito larvae among them.

Meanwhile, 90 mosquito breeding sites were detected in Pasir Ris, with 62 of them found in homes. In December 2023, a pail was found in a house with about 100 larvae. Another house was found with three mosquito breeding sites - a bucket cover, a basket, and a flowerpot.

Multiple breeding sites found at Club Street construction site

Last September, multiple mosquito breeding sites such as water tanks, a scupper drain, and a road cutter machine, were found at a Club Street construction site. A stop work order (SWO) was then issued to Tiong Seng Contractors on 8 September 2023, to focus on housekeeping and review its sanitation and vector control measures.

Despite the SWO, the firm was found to have carried out construction work on three separate occasions in October 2023. A month later, mosquito breeding was detected again at the site. The contractor was later charged in court, and fined $217,500 for multiple offences.

Sengkang home owner fined for hostile attempt to destroy evidence

During an inspection at Rivervale Drive last July, an NEA officer discovered mosquito breeding in a porcelain pot. Upon informing the owner and stating that samples would be collected, the owner became aggressive and tried to destroy the evidence. The owner was later charged in court and fined $1,000 for obstructing NEA officers in their duties.

NEA said it will take stern enforcement action against non-compliant owners who obstruct its officers from carrying out dengue inspection duties. It also urged the construction industry to continue to do its part to curb dengue transmission by implementing a good housekeeping system, refuse management and routine pest control checks and treatment.

Individuals diagnosed with or suspected to be infected with dengue are advised to avoid further mosquito bites, by carrying out the "spray, apply, wear" (S-A-W) actions, to prevent passing on the dengue virus to mosquitoes and other people in their neighbourhoods.

The public can visit NEA's website for regular dengue updates. They can also use the myENV mobile app to set alerts on areas with dengue clusters and high Aedes aegypti mosquito populations.

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