Workers fogging a construction site in Singapore to prevent mosquitoes. (Photo: AFP/VNA) Singapore (VNA) – Dengue infections in Singapore have surpassed the 10,000 mark. This is thehighest number of cases in the first five months since 2013, the largestoutbreak year recorded in the country, according to the National EnvironmentAgency (NEA).
In 2013,22,170 people were infected and eight died of dengue. Twelve people have so far this year died in Singapore.
There are now190 active dengue clusters. The biggest is in Woodleigh area, with 200 peopleinfected, which is one of five large clusters with more than 100 infected.
The NEA warnedthat the hot and wet conditions suitable for the growth of the Aedes mosquitopopulation are likely to last till October.
It outlined aconfluence of factors leading to the recent spike in dengue cases. First, anincrease in the less common Dengue virus serotype 3 (DENV-3) since thebeginning of this year. This strain of virus was last seen in a dominantposition in Singapore about three decades ago, which means there is lowimmunity in the local population and a rapid disease transmission, the NEA saidon its website.
People who havebeen infected before are protected against only that strain ofthe virus, and not against the other three dengue strains.
Secondly, Singapore is entering thetraditional dengue peak season, with the warmer weather facilitating fastermultiplication of the Aedes aegypti mosquito and dengue virus, increasing thechances of dengue transmission, the NEA said.
The agencyalso reported a five-fold increase in dengue-carrying mosquito larvae detectedin homes and common residential areas during the two-month Circus Breakerperiod compared to the two months prior.
NEA plans toprovide over 300,000 bottles of mosquito repellent for distribution to patientsat hospitals./.
VNA
