NEA raises dengue red alert, warns of “year-end spikes”

The National Environment Agency (NEA) advised residents to continue to stay vigilant in preventing dengue cases especially during the upcoming holiday season.

Dengue cases from January to November increased five times from last year. There were already 14,658 reported dengue cases in Singapore during this period.

It is possible that dengue cases may continue to increase by the tail-end of the year. The NEA stated that, “For example, in 2013 and 2015, there were year-end spikes in the number of dengue cases, and on both occasions, we entered the following year with an atypically high number of dengue cases.”

As such, the NEA reminded residents intending to go on extended vacations overseas to mosquito-proof their homes.

Preventive measures include covering floor traps and toilet bowls, sealing off overflow pipes, clearing debris and adding BTI insecticide in roof gutters, as well as adding sand granular insecticides in places where mosquitoes could breed.

Residents going away on extended vacations may also request friends, relatives, and neigbours to check their homes for stagnant water.

The NEA cited the large population of Aedes mosquitoes, warmer temperatures, and low human immunity as possible contributing factors to the increase in dengue cases.

The NEA identified the top five dengue clusters as Choa Chu Kang Avenue 2, Elias Road, Jalan Bangau and Begonia Lane near Yio Chu Kang, and Jurong West Street 61.

“All residents living in dengue cluster areas are strongly encouraged to cooperate with NEA officers and to facilitate checks (by the officers) and indoor misting in their homes,” the agency said.

“Residents living in dengue cluster areas are also strongly encouraged to protect themselves by applying mosquito repellent regularly and keeping their homes free of stagnant water,” the NEA added in its advisory.

The 2013 outbreak still had the most number of dengue incidents at a total of 22,170 cases. /TISG