National collective effort is critical to prevent dengue cases from rising further

Singapore, 23 June 2019 – As of 15 June 2019, there have been a total of 5,184 reported dengue cases this year. This is about four times the 1,242 dengue cases we saw in the same period last year. The number of cases of dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) is also at a high of 41 cases, and the number of active dengue clusters have also more than doubled in the past month to 112 (as of 17 June). The upward trend in the number of dengue cases comes following two years of low dengue case numbers. While there are certain geographical clusters which accounted for the bulk of the increase in dengue cases, such as at Woodlands, Geylang, Jalan Lembah Thomson and Chai Chee, there has been a general uptrend in dengue cases across the island. The dengue transmission is therefore not localised, and everyone has to be alert to the threat. We are now at the start of the warmer months of June to October, and a national collective effort is critical to prevent dengue cases from rising further.

Community needs to take urgent action to eliminate potential mosquito breeding habitats  

2          Between January and May 2019, more than 372,000 inspections were conducted islandwide and NEA uncovered about 6,500 instances of mosquito breeding habitats. During the same period, the proportion of breeding detected in homes in cluster areas was 74 per cent, which is more than the national average of 60 per cent. The highest proportion of breeding found in homes in a cluster area was 85% (refer to Annex A for inspection findings at the top five dengue cluster areas). To safeguard public health, NEA will not hesitate to take enforcement actions against anyone found to have created conditions favourable for the propagation or harbouring of vectors. As at May 2019, about *900 households were fined for mosquito breeding.

3          The Gravitrap surveillance system deployed by NEA has shown an increase in the Aedes aegypti mosquito population since March 2019. There was a 56 per cent increase detected by the surveillance system in May 2019 compared to March 2019. This persistently high Aedes aegypti mosquito population increases the risk of transmission of the dengue virus, and urgent action is needed to eliminate potential mosquito breeding habitats in the community.

4          In the week ending 15 June 2019, there were 467 reported cases of dengue (see Figure 1). Singapore has not seen such a high weekly number of cases since March 2016. As we are in the traditional peak dengue season, concerted community action is urgently needed to bring down the Aedes mosquito population, to prevent more people from being infected with the dengue virus.

Figure 1. Annual trend of dengue cases, from 2015 to 2019

5          All residents living in cluster areas are strongly encouraged to cooperate with NEA officers, and facilitate their checks and indoor misting in their homes. As the Aedes aegypti mosquito has adapted well to the urban environment, it is critical in our dengue cluster operations to eradicate breeding habitats and adult mosquitoes, some of which could be resting in homes. Accessing all the homes in a cluster as quickly as possible, sometimes with the help of the local grassroots, keeps your family members, neighbours and the community safe (refer to Annex B for photos of some profuse mosquito breeding detected in homes). Residents living at dengue cluster areas are also strongly encouraged to protect themselves by applying mosquito repellent regularly, and keeping their homes clean by getting rid of stagnant water.

Concerted efforts by all stakeholders to stem dengue transmission]

6          Following this year’s national dengue campaign launch on 7 April 2019, 89 divisions across Singapore have organised more than 440 dengue prevention events and activities. Mayors, Grassroots Advisers, Community Leaders and Dengue Prevention Volunteers (DPVs) have visited residents’ homes to share dengue prevention tips, including information on how to identify potential mosquito breeding habitats. To heighten the public’s awareness and vigilance against mosquito breeding and dengue, particularly at dengue cluster areas, NEA will continue to work with stakeholders to carry out community events and house visits, to remind residents to regularly practise the 5-step Mozzie Wipeout (refer to Annex C for the roles of residents and DPVs in preventing dengue).

7          Since May this year, the various agencies and other stakeholders represented in the Inter-Agency Dengue Task Force (IADTF), including Town Councils, have stepped up checks to remove potential mosquito breeding habitats at our public areas and housing estates. From February to March 2019, the IADTF members have also conducted nearly 50,000 inspections at their respective premises, as part of the intensive source reduction exercise prior to the start of the traditional dengue peak season.

8          We encourage everyone to be an advocate of dengue prevention, and to remind his or her family members and neighbours to join in the collective effort to help stop the dengue transmission cycle, by doing the 5-step Mozzie Wipeout. All of us, including residents, contractors, and business owners, have a part to play in preventing dengue. The latest updates on the dengue situation can be found on the NEA website, stop Dengue Now Facebook page, and myENV app.

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For more information, please contact us at 1800-CALL NEA (1800-2255 632) or submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.

Annex A

*INSPECTION FINDINGS AT THE TOP FIVE LARGEST DENGUE CLUSTERS

*Information as of 21 June 2019.

Annex B

Sample photos of profuse mosquito breeding detected in homes

A pail with profuse mosquito breeding
A basin with profuse mosquito breeding
A bin cover with profuse mosquito breeding
A dish tray with profuse mosquito breeding
A porcelain cup with profuse mosquito breeding

Annex C

ROLES OF RESIDENTS AND DENGUE PREVENTION VOLUNTEERS IN PREVENTING DENGUE 

Residents

• Practise the 5-step Mozzie Wipeout regularly
• Apply insect repellent and wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants
• Spray insecticide in dark corners of the home, such as under the bed and sofa, and behind curtains
• Cover toilet bowls, sinks and gully traps and ensure there is no stagnant water at home, before leaving for vacation
• Seek medical treatment early if feeling unwell
• Participate in dengue prevention campaigns in neighbourhoods

Dengue Prevention Volunteers

• Dengue Prevention Volunteers complement NEA’s outreach efforts, in helping to disseminate the knowledge of dengue prevention among residents and the community, so that they can carry out these efforts on a sustained basis.

Dengue Prevention Volunteers help to:

• Heighten awareness among residents on the current dengue situation
• Advise residents on the potential mosquito breeding habitats during house visits and community events, and remind residents to remove stagnant water in their homes
• Encourage residents to incorporate dengue prevention steps in their daily routines
• Educate residents on the importance of ULV misting to eradicate adult mosquitoes in areas where there is ongoing dengue transmission, encourage them to allow NEA officers to conduct misting in their homes, and advise them to spray insecticide in dark corners of their homes on their own
• Share information about mosquitoes, including the characteristics of Aedes mosquitoes, symptoms of dengue fever, how dengue is transmitted, and how residents can look after themselves to stem dengue transmission:
  • Advise residents to apply insect repellent to protect themselves, especially for those living in dengue cluster areas
  • Encourage residents showing symptoms suggestive of dengue to see their GPs early to be diagnosed.
  • Educate residents infected with dengue to protect themselves from mosquito bites, by applying repellent and wearing long-sleeved tops and long pants to stem further dengue transmission
• Check for potential mosquito breeding habitats in common areas around their neighbourhoods
• Encourage fellow residents to participate in dengue prevention activities in their neighbourhoods