NEA Warns: Dengue Fever Cases May Increase Towards End Of Year Just Like Previous Years

By
Shawn Ambrose
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It’s time to talk about that black little pest again; mosquitoes.

As pesky as a telemarketer, this literal vampire is biologically programmed to crave the blood of animals, including humans.

They need this blood for protein to create eggs, without which they would die out. So, either we survive, or they do.

And unfortunately, it seems like they might be winning.

NEA Warns: Dengue Fever Cases May Increase During End Of Year Just Like Previous Years

The National Environment Agency (NEA) has warned of a potential increase in dengue fever cases towards the end of the year.

This advisory comes as a response to the increase in dengue cases this year, which rose fivefold from last year.

And NEA fears the number of cases could continue to rise, based on a trend in previous years; “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.”

But why is there a sudden increase in cases?

Reasons for increase

NEA said that there are several possible reasons for the increase in dengue cases lately. The main reason is the large population of Aedes mosquitoes in the country. The agency said that the Aedes mosquito population grew by 32 per cent last month over September.

The number of larvae breeding sites found in homes also rose by 55 per cent over the same period.

Other reasons include warmer temperatures and lower immunity in humans.

So, what can you do to protect yourself from these blood-sucking insects?

Preventive measures

NEA advises people to adopt certain household practices that will prevent mosquitoes from breeding. They added that it is especially important to take these preventive measures before you travel.

  • Cover floor traps and toilet bowls
  • Seal off overflow pipes of flushing cisterns
  • Add sand granular insecticide to places where mosquitoes could breed and where stagnant water cannot be removed
  • Clear debris or blockages in roof gutters and place Bti insecticide
  • Turn over all water containers and wipe the rims dry
  • Ask a relative or friend to check your home regularly for stagnant water if you’re abroad
  • Leave your contact details with your neighbours or the neighbourhood police centre so you can be easily reached

The agency also advised those in dengue cluster areas to protect themselves by “applying mosquito repellent regularly and keeping their homes free of stagnant water.”

There are 76 active dengue clusters, with the five largest in Choa Chu Kang Avenue 2, Elias Road, Jalan Bangau and Begonia Lane in Yio Chu Kang and Jurong West Street 61.

The main issue is that most of the breeding sites in these clusters are in residential premises.

So, please protect yourself and your family by adopting these preventive practices, especially if you’re planning to travel.

And if you see one of these Gravitraps outside your home, please, for the love of God, do not use it as an ashtray, because it’s actually meant to kill mosquitoes.

Image: Facebook (ROADS.sg)

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Shawn Ambrose
Email: [email protected]