Singapore fears its worst-ever dengue fever epidemic

[Snowy Owl]

Singapore fears its worst-ever dengue fever epidemic
Apr 8, 2008, 0:02 GMT

http://news.monstersandcritics.com/health/news/article_1398820.php/Singapore_fears_its_worst-ever_dengue_fever_epidemic​

Singapore

Dengue fever infections are mounting alarmingly in Singapore due to a change to a more deadly strain of the disease, sparking fears of the city-state's potentially worst epidemic yet, news reports said Tuesday.

Unless the trend of infections is halted, health officials warn that the number of sick people could hit record levels within three years.

The number of infections from January through March is already 60 per cent higher than during the first quarter of 2007, said figures published in The Straits Times.

'If nothing is done to stop the spread, the number of cases will increase very significantly,' Dr Ng Lee Ching, head of the Environmental Health Institute, was quoted as saying.

The severe, flu-like illness is showing up in a more deadly form, called dengue haemorrhagic fever, for which there is no vaccine or cure, Ng said.

Victims can only be treated for the symptoms, which include high fever, body aches and nausea.

Twenty people died from it last year.

Experts are further concerned because the Aedes mosquito, which spreads the disease, appears to be moving into areas where it previously was not found.

The city-state is spending 200,000 Singapore dollars (145,000 US dollars) a day in a massive effort to destroy breeding sites and a targeted war against mosquitoes in areas where two or more people fall ill.

Last year, more than 5,000 homeowners were fined 200 Singapore dollars (145 US dollars) for allowing mosquitoes to breed. Construction sites found with the insect pests breeding are fined 2,000 Singapore dollars (1,459 US dollars).

'We cannot understand why the numbers are climbing,' Ng said.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Singapore fears its worst-ever dengue fever epidemic

Source: http://www.todayonline.com/articles/251999.asp

Singapore News // Monday, May 5, 2008
Efforts intensify as dengue spikes
Number of cases up 35%, breeding sites up 42%

Loh Chee Kong
cheekong@mediacorp.com.sg

THE quantum of the fine has been doubled, public education campaigns redesigned and door-to-door community efforts intensified.
.
But the dengue situation continues to get worse. In the first four months of the year, the number of dengue cases went up 35 per cent, compared to the same period last year, to 1,616. Correspondingly, the number of mosquito breeding sites detected has gone up by 42.4 per cent.
.
As of April 19, there were 3,213 breeding sites; about 55 per cent were outdoors, mainly discarded receptacles such as plastic pails.
.
While this spike could be partly due to the National Environment Agency starting its "intensive source reduction exercise" a month earlier than last year, "the worrying thing is the breeding sites continue to be the same kind of habitats", said Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Environment and Water Resources) Amy Khor. That indicates some people were not heeding public education efforts, she added.
.
She was speaking yesterday at the South West Community Development Council's latest anti-dengue programme, which ropes in 1,099 foreign students living in a Jurong West hostel to comb for potential breeding sites with grassroots leaders.
.
Dr Khor said reminders were needed even for those who have "internalised" anti-breeding habits. "If you look at the publicity through advertisements, we've been changing the messages, too, just in case people get lulled into complacency or become quite oblivious." For instance, the campaign now provides advice for people living in an identified dengue cluster and is "not just about mozzie wipe out".
.
Since last month, the Government has raised the fine to $200 for homeowners caught for the first time with breeding grounds in their residential premises. The authorities will monitor the situation, which "should improve", before deciding on any further changes, said Dr Khor.
.
Meanwhile, the Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC has relaunched its SMS alert system, which was first rolled out last year, for residents to inform the Town Council of potential breeding sites. At the peak of the outbreak last year, the GRC experienced 80 dengue cases in three clusters, said MP Ahmad Magad.
.
Describing the spike in dengue cases as a "mystery", Dr Ahmad felt it was largely due to the mutation of the dengue viral strains.
.
He said: "We're taking no chances this year ... to make sure we get as much involvement from the community as possible to prevent further outbreaks."