Recently, there has been an increased number of dengue cases islandwide.
In fact, the number of reported cases for the first three months of the year has increased more than three times from the same period last year.
As of the end of last month, the total number of reported dengue cases was more than 2,000.
To be exact, the number is 2,224. This, when compared to the 600 last year within the same period, shows that something is definitely wrong.
In the first three months of the year, there were also three deaths from dengue.
I don’t know about you, but that certainly rings alarm bells in my head.
Dengue campaign
The Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Masagos Zulkifli, launched the annual dengue campaign yesterday.
Usually, the campaign is held in mid-May as the peak period for dengue would be around June to October, but it was launched much earlier due to the increased number of cases.
Lest you’re not aware, the warmer the weather is, the faster the mosquito population increases. The National Environment Agency (NEA), expects dengue cases to increase in the following months.
This can be stopped, though, if precautionary measures are taken.
The 5-Step Mozzie Wipeout
NEA encourages all members of the public and stakeholders to work together as a community to stem dengue transmission. And to do that, they should do the 5-step mozzie wipe-out:
- Turn the pail
- Tip the vase
- Flip the flowerpot plate
- Loosen the hardened soil
- Clear the roof gutter and place Bti insecticide inside
Dengue Cluster Situation
There are 32 total dengue clusters as of April.
The 3 biggest ones are located at Woodlands Circle / Woodlands Cres / Woodlands Dr 60, Teck Whye Ln and Golden Walk / Tai Hwan Ave, Cres, Gr, Ter, Walk.
So if you live in those areas, be sure to do the Mozzie Wipe-out.
High but Low
In 2017, there was a total of 2,772 cases of dengue (the entire year) which was the lowest number in 16 years. In 2018, the total cases increased by 20 per cent, totalling to 3,285 cases. This was still lower than the total in 2013 and 2016, which exceeded 11,000.
To fight against dengue, HDB estates are installed with mosquito traps that capture female Aedes aegypti mosquitos and their eggs, which carry the disease. These are called Gravitraps.
Through this, it helped NEA to remove 21 per cent more breeding habits.
Gravitraps will also be installed in newer HDB flats and landed housing estates in the second half of the year. There will be about 14,000 traps set up this year, on top of the current 50,000.
Phase Three of Project Wolbachia
Project Wolbachia is a project by NEA, and through the project, they research more about male Wolbachia-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to help reduce the dengue mosquito population. They’ll also explore new tools and technologies to improve dengue control in Singapore.
They have completed phase one and two of the project, which was to conduct small field studies.
In phase three, they will release sterile male mosquitos in bigger areas.
They are released according to any adjustments to maintain or further suppress the low Aedes aegypti mosquito population at previous areas and reduce the higher population at new areas.
This was proven to work in areas such as Nee Soon East and Tampines West when they saw a drop in 80 per cent and 70 per cent in the respective areas of the Aedes population.
Be Viligant
Mr Masagos encouraged residents to remove stagnant water in their homes and to pay attention to common breeding spots such as pails, dish trays, flower pot plates and vases. They should consistently take these precautions to eliminate dengue.
If you are not aware of the symptoms of dengue, the symptoms are as followed:
- Sudden onset of fever for two to seven days
- Severe headache with retro-orbital (behind the eye) pain
- Joint and muscle pain
- Skin Rashes
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bleeding from the nose or gums
- Easy bruising in the skin
So if you know someone who has the following symptoms, please encourage them to seek help immediately!
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