Worst period for dengue cases over but NEA urges continued vigilance

SINGAPORE — The dengue situation in Singapore this year may have passed its worst period, but the National Environment Agency (NEA) is urging residents to continue to be vigilant in preventing infection rates from rising again.

According to an update in the NEA website on Tuesday (22 October), the number of weekly dengue cases has fallen from a high of 664 in the second week of July to 239 in the week ending Sunday (19 October).

From 19 July to 12 October, the number of reported dengue cases has gone down for 13th consecutive weeks. NEA said that this trend suggests that Singapore has passed the high disease transmission period seen in July and August this year.

Of the 1,267 dengue clusters notified since the start of the year, the NEA has also closed 1,192 of them.

However, the past week saw an increase in dengue cases reported, from 229 in the week ending 12 October to 239.

Rise in mosquito population possible at year end

NEA said that vigilance must be maintained, as historical data shows the possibility of another rise in Aedes aegypti mosquito population at the end of the year. If left unchecked, the mosquito population rise could once again increase the risk of dengue transmission.

As of Sunday, a total of 13,079 dengue cases have been reported this year, far more than the 3,285 cases reported in 2018 and 2,772 cases in 2017.

NEA encourages all residents and stakeholders to play their part to help stem dengue transmission, by doing the five-step “Mozzie Wipeout” as follows:

• Turn the pail

• Tip the vase

• Flip the flowerpot plate

• Loosen the hardened soil

• Clear the roof gutter and place insecticide inside

Dengue symptoms

Those infected with dengue should protect themselves from mosquito bites by applying repellent regularly. The symptoms of dengue include:

• Sudden onset of fever for two to seven days

• Severe headache with retro-orbital (behind the eye) pain

• Joint and muscle pain

• Skin rashes

• Nausea and vomiting

• Bleeding from the nose or gums

• Easy bruising in the skin

The public can check the latest updates on the dengue situation in Singapore via the NEA website, the Stop Dengue Now Facebook page and myENV app.

Have a tip-off? Email us at sgnews.tips@verizonmedia.com. In your email, do provide as many details as possible including videos and photos.

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