Premises owners and occupiers must take urgent action to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures.

Singapore, 28 April 2022 – The number of weekly reported dengue cases continues to rise sharply, even before Singapore reaches the traditional peak dengue season from June to October. 941 dengue cases were reported in the week ending 23 April 2022, 208 cases more than in the previous week. In total, more than 6,000 cases have been reported this year to date, exceeding the total 5,258 cases reported in 2021. Most mosquito breeding continues to be found in homes. The National Environment Agency (NEA) strongly urges all occupants and occupiers of premises to Do the Mozzie Wipeout regularly, to remove any stagnant water in their immediate surroundings and destroy any mosquito breeding habitats found, to help break the cycle of dengue transmission as quickly as possible.

2          As of 26 April 2022, there are 193 active dengue clusters reported (refer to ANNEX A for information on the top five largest dengue clusters). The number of Aedes mosquito breeding detected has also increased and almost doubled at all premises types, from around 1,300 to 2,400 from February to March 2022. This has led to an increase in adult Aedes mosquito vectors present in our neighbourhoods, which can transmit dengue.

Egregious mosquito breeding continues to be detected during NEA’s inspections

3          NEA has been working with key stakeholders to conduct intensive vector control operations at dengue cluster areas. With the cooperation of partner agencies and the general community, we have closed about 67 per cent, or 394 of 587, of the dengue clusters notified, since the start of this year. However, at recent inspections, we still continue to detect egregious cases of premises with multiple mosquito breeding habitats, and habitats with profuse mosquito breeding. Examples are listed below.

 i.         Residential premises located within a dengue cluster at Borthwick Drive
During NEA’s inspections in March and April 2022, three instances of multiple profuse mosquito breeding were detected. These included: two ornamental containers and a basin with more than 50 mosquito larvae each; a water fountain with about 100 larvae; an unused fountain and an unused pond with more than a few hundred larvae each. 13 other premises had mosquito breeding habitats with 100 or more larvae each. Habitats with profuse mosquito breeding detected included: domestic containers, ornamental containers, water fountains, flowerpots with hardened soil, plant axils and a bin.

ii.         Residential premises located within a dengue cluster at Grove Avenue
During NEA’s inspection in March 2022, four mosquito breeding habitats were detected at a residential premise. Habitats detected included domestic containers, a flowerpot plate, and an inspection chamber – with a total of 100 mosquito larvae. Another three premises had mosquito breeding habitats with about 100 larvae each: an ornamental container, a domestic container, and a covered perimeter drain.

iii.         Common area of condominium compound located within a dengue cluster at Eng Kong Terrace / Kismis Green / Lorong Kismis
During NEA’s repeat inspections in March and April 2022, multiple mosquito breeding habitats were detected within the condominium compound. Mosquito breeding was detected in gully traps on two separate occasions with 50 and 200 larvae or more, and in a discarded receptacle with 200 larvae or more.  

iv.         Common area of condominium compound located within a dengue cluster at Hougang Avenue 5
During NEA’s inspection in April 2022, profuse mosquito breeding was detected in a ground puddle at the condominium compound, with more than a few hundred mosquito larvae.

v.         Commercial premises located within the periphery of a dengue cluster at Cheong Chin Nam Rd
During NEA’s inspection in April 2022, three instances of profuse mosquito breeding were detected in ground puddles at different levels of the commercial premises’ carpark, with a total of more than 100 mosquito larvae.

vi.            Construction site located within a dengue cluster at Serangoon North Avenue 1
During NEA’s inspection in March and April 2022, repeated and multiple mosquito breeding was detected at a construction site. Mosquito breeding habitats detected included: ground puddles, metal formworks, a steel toe board, and scupper drains – some habitats had 50 mosquito larvae or more. The construction site was issued a Stop Work Order twice, to conduct rectification measures.

4         These egregious cases of mosquito breeding show that some premises owners and occupiers are still not carrying out necessary basic mosquito control checks, despite the current serious dengue situation in Singapore. NEA will be taking strong enforcement action against these recent cases of egregious mosquito breeding. For households found with repeat mosquito breeding offences and multiple mosquito breeding habitats, offenders may face a fine of up to $5,000, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or both, for the first court conviction. Repeat offenders will be given heftier penalties or sent to court.

NEA continues with stepped-up community outreach efforts on dengue prevention

5          In addition to ongoing islandwide dengue inspections, NEA has intensified inspection and outreach efforts in April, and will continue with this over the next few months. Residents staying at dengue cluster areas are strongly urged to cooperate with NEA officers and facilitate their checks. Engagement efforts have also been supported by dengue prevention publicity across various platforms, such as digital and social media, out-of-home and print advertisements, to inform residents about the urgency of the dengue situation.

6          We seek everyone’s support, especially that of residents, to take immediate action to reduce the mosquito vector population, by regularly practising the following Mozzie Wipeout ‘B-L-O-C-K’ steps to target common mosquito breeding habitats:

o   Break up hardened soil

o   Lift and empty flowerpot plates

o   Overturn pails and wipe their rims

o   Change water in vases

o   Keep roof gutters clear and place BTI insecticide inside

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ANNEX A

Inspection Findings at Top Five Largest Dengue Clusters

Information as of 26 April 2022