Dengue infections up for seven straight weeks; NEA urges 'immediate action'

SINGAPORE: More than 400 dengue infections were reported in the week ending Jan 20, marking the seventh consecutive week of increase, newly released data by the National Environment Agency (NEA) showed on Tuesday (Jan 23).

The 410 dengue cases reported last week was 15 more than in the previous seven days, and already topped last year’s peak of 342 cases. There were 143 cases just seven weeks ago.

NEA urged residents living in dengue clusters to take "immediate action to suppress the Aedes mosquito population and help break disease transmission", and to cooperate with NEA officers during their inspection rounds.

There were 83 active clusters as of Monday, of which 19 had 10 or more cases. 

The agency identified fast rates of dengue transmission in the clusters at Boon Lay Place, Pasir Ris Street 71, Pasir Ris Street 52/53, Bukit Batok Street 21, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 and Pasir Ris Drive 10.

There has also been persistent dengue transmission in the Jalan Chegar cluster at Upper Thomson, it added.

NEA advised members of the public to use insect repellent, wear long-sleeved tops and long pants, and to spray insecticide in dark corners of the house.

“There are four dengue virus serotypes circulating in Singapore. Currently, dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2) has been predominant since Sep 2023, with prior periodic dominance of DENV-1 and DENV-3 in 2023,” said NEA.

“Our population’s immunity to all four dengue virus serotypes remains low.”

The highest weekly number of dengue cases was recorded in 2020, when the figure hit 1,787.

SIX DENGUE DEATHS IN 2023

The resurgence in dengue cases in recent weeks came after the final quarter of 2023 saw a decrease in cases compared with the previous quarter, according to NEA's quarterly data.

A total of 2,546 dengue cases were reported from October to December, a decrease of 16.6 per cent from July to September.

There was a total of six deaths due to local dengue infection in 2023, with three deaths occurring in the final quarter.

According to NEA data, there were 19 deaths from dengue infection in Singapore in 2022.

NEA said it identified 308 clusters from October to December, of which 269 were closed in the same period. The number of clusters identified increased by about six per cent compared with the previous quarter.

Additionally, 5,200 mosquito breeding habitats were detected in the same period, an increase of 15 per cent from the previous quarter.

NEA said the top five breeding habitats in homes for the last quarter of 2023 are domestic containers (pails), flower pot plates and trays, ornamental containers (vases), canvas or plastic sheets and refuse bins placed outside landed houses.

The top five breeding habitats in public areas are covered parameter drains, discarded receptacles, gully traps, domestic containers like pails and puddles from depressions in the ground.