More than 6,600 people have caught dengue fever this year, exceeding the total number for both 2017 and 2018 (Source: straitstimes.com) Singapore (VNA) – Head of Singapore’s National Environment Agency's (NEA) ChewMing Fai has warned that the dengue problem in the country will get worsebefore it gets better, as the coming dry, hot months are prime breeding seasonfor the dengue-spreading mosquito.
Chew saidthat although the NEA and grassroots leaders had stepped up checks, citizensneed to play a bigger role in keeping their homes mosquito-free and helpingneighbours to do the same.
An example of greater community involvement has been takingplace in the Chai Chee cluster, which NEA said has had a total of 119 reportedcases as of July 5.
Spearheadedby the NEA, these outreach efforts see the grassroots volunteers conductinghouse visits from block to block to heighten awareness of the dengue situationin the cluster, as well as remind residents to take preventive measures.
Although the overall dengue situation seems to be escalating,with 499 cases last week marking the highest weekly number in more than threeyears, Chew said more than half of the 550 dengue clusters that emerged in thefirst half of the year have since been eliminated.
More than6,600 people have caught dengue fever this year, exceeding the total number forboth 2017 and 2018.-VNA
