NEWS RELEASE NO: 54/2003

DATE OF ISSUE: 11 October 2003

DENGUE SITUATION IN SERANGOON AVE 2 AND 3 BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL: NEA

The dengue situation in Serangoon Avenues 2 and 3 has been brought under control after almost four weeks of intensive operations. The number of dengue fever cases has dropped from a peak of 21 cases in the week of 21-27 September to nine cases last week. There were altogether 46 reported cases in the area since 14 September.

2   Since 16 September, a vector control team (comprising 30 NEA officers and personnel from a private pest control contractor) has been combing the area for mosquito breeding habitats. Physical checks were conducted at over 2,400 residences, including HDB flats and private condos. The checks also covered construction sites and schools. More than 30 mosquito-breeding habitats were detected and destroyed. They were found in residential flats, roofs of HDB blocks, construction sites and a junior college. Indoor and outdoor fogging was carried out to destroy adult mosquitoes on site.

3   Although the dengue situation is now under control, the NEA will continue to work closely with the Marine Parade Town Council to carry out regular fogging, keep common areas in public housing estates free of mosquitoes, and sustain public education efforts on dengue prevention.

Dengue statistics update

4    The number of dengue cases in Southeast Asia continues to be high this year as in recent years. In Singapore, a total of 3,775 dengue fever cases have been reported this year. The number of cases went up in the first half of the year but has been on the decline since June ? dropping from a peak of 258 cases per week in early June to 71 cases a week this month.

How the public can help reduce dengue fever

5   The number of dengue fever cases can only be brought down through effective control of the Aedes mosquito population. There are simple preventive measures to help ensure that homes and workplaces do not become potential breeding grounds for such mosquitoes.

6   Below is a list of common breeding places for Aedes mosquitoes and tips on how to prevent breeding.

• Flowerpot plates, flower vases. (The water should be changed every day and the inside surface scrubbed)
• Earthen jars for landscape or decorative purposes. (It is helpful to put fish into them)
• Pails or other containers left lying around (Keep them in an overturned position/under shelter or dispose them, if unwanted)
• Roof gutters which tend to be choked with leaves and silt causing rainwater to stagnate. (Solutions include frequent cleaning, say once a month; putting granular insecticide to destroy mosquito larvae; or simply dismantling roof gutters that do not flow properly)
• Water collected in the axils of large-leaf plants. (Add granular insecticide1 into the axils once a week).

7    The NEA would like to urge the public to play a part by taking preventive measures to help reduce the number of dengue fever cases in the community.

~~ End of News Release ~~

For more information, please contact:
Call Centre: 1800-CALL NEA (1800-2255 632)
Email:contact_nea@nea.gov.sg

1Granular insecticide can be purchased from most nurseries. The public may contact the NEA Call Centre on 1800-CALL NEA (1800-2255 632) ifshould they have difficulty buying the granular insecticide.