NEA Steps Up Efforts To Mitigate Possible Worsening Of Dengue Situation In Singapore

SINGAPORE, June 12 (Bernama) -- The dengue situation has worsened with weekly cases hitting a record of 820 and continues to be a major threat to Singapore. As more cases are expected, the National Environment Agency (NEA) is ramping up its vector control manpower to speed up inspections and surveillance. To bring down the population of adult mosquitoes responsible for transmitting the virus, officers will be seeking residents’ cooperation to apply ultra-low volume (ULV) misting and insecticide aerosol sprays. Next month, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and NEA will also distribute mosquito repellents to households, starting with those residing in cluster areas. MOH and NEA urge everyone to remain vigilant and perform the Mozzie Wipeout to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in their homes. There were 820 cases reported in the week ending June 8 – the highest recorded so far. To date, 9,421 cases were reported this year, surpassing the 8,843 cases reported in the 2007 epidemic. Against the backdrop of our low population immunity, the current epidemic is driven by the continued transmission of the virus with high epidemic potential, NEA said in a statement. The risk of dengue transmission is elevated by the current warm weather, which hastens the maturation of mosquitoes and shortens the incubation period of the virus in mosquitoes. While majority of the clusters continue to be reported in the eastern part of the island, there has been a rise in the number of clusters in the west and northern parts. This suggests that dengue transmission is intensifying in these areas. As the majority of breeding spots are still found in homes, NEA said it cannot fight dengue without the community’s concerted action to remove the breeding spots. Apart from doing the Mozzie Wipeout, everyone should also help to remind their family members and neighbours to join in the collective efforts. -- BERNAMA