Dengue Cases In Jan Tripled; S’poreans Urged To Prevent Spread This CNY

Dengue Cases This Jan Triple That Of Jan 2018

As the Lunar New Year approaches, many of you may have CNY shopping trips on your to-do list before the Pig Year bounces in.

We know you’re busy, but we would like to add just one more thing to that list — dengue prevention.

The number of dengue cases has rocketed to 455 just within the first two weeks of Jan 2019. This is 3 times as many as that seen in the same period last year.

Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for the Environment and Water Resources, warned that with higher temperatures and rainfall patterns brought about by climate change, the spread of the mosquito-borne disease may worsen.

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The National Environment Agency (NEA) has also detected about 40% more Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in Dec 2018, compared with the same month in 2017.

If left unchecked, the high Aedes aegypti mosquito population may cause a surge in dengue cases in 2019.

Let’s take a look at some of the largest dengue clusters.

Largest dengue clusters in Bedok & Kaki Bukit

According to NEA, as of Jan 14, there are 54 active dengue clusters, the largest of which are in Bedok Reservoir Road and Kaki Bukit Avenue 1.

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HDB blocks in the area with dengue cases are:

Bedok Reservoir Road:

• 122, 124, 127, 129, 145, 149, 151, 608, 609, 613, 613B, 615, 622, 623, 626, 628 – 1 case each
• 130, 138, 148, 627, 629, 631 – 2 cases each
• 131, 132, 134, 135, 144, 147, 613A – 3 cases each
• 137, 140, 146 – 4 cases each
• 141, 150 – 5 cases each
• 128 – 6 cases
• 142 – 10 cases
• 139 – 11 cases
• 136 – 15 cases

Kaki Bukit Ave 1: 4 cases

These areas have been issued the ‘red alert level’ for dengue cases.

Potentially more mosquito breeding sites during CNY

While Singaporeans are happily doing their preparations to usher in CNY, another group is also very ecstatic — the Aedes mosquitoes.

With many of us opting to decorate our homes with ornamental plants, or discarding large furniture during spring cleaning — there can be abundance of stagnant water and hence more breeding spots.

It is absolutely vital that we step up efforts to clear any stagnant water to prevent mosquito breeding.

After all, we are sure everyone wants to be healthy in order to enjoy CNY to the fullest.

Dengue symptoms to look out for

If you have or you know anyone with any of these symptoms, it is advisable to seek medical help ASAP.

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle & joint aches
• Rash
• Bleeding tendency
• Bruises from minor knocks and bumps

Better safe than sorry

Even if your estate is not classified as a high alert area, it is still important to play safe and do the Mozzie Wipeout.

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1. Turn pails upside down
2. Tip vases
3. Flip flowerpot plates
4. Loosen hardened soil in plant pots
5. Clear the roof gutter and place Bti insecticide

If you suspect there are mosquito breeding sites in the vicinity of your house, do not hesitate to put on insecticide to protect yourself and your loved ones.

In addition, those infected with dengue should also apply repellent to prevent mosquitoes from biting and picking up the virus from them.

Most importantly, stay vigilant against dengue and stay safe this CNY!

Featured image from Google Maps.