35-year-old woman is 6th person to die from dengue

A 35-year-old woman became the sixth person to die from dengue fever this year. -- FILE PHOTO: NEA
A 35-year-old woman became the sixth person to die from dengue fever this year. -- FILE PHOTO: NEA

A 35-year-old woman became the sixth person to die from dengue fever this year.

The deceased, who lived in Yishun Ring Road, had experienced chest pain and intermittent fever for the past three weeks. When her condition did not improve, she went to the Accident and Emergency unit at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital on Saturday. There, she was diagnosed with dengue and warded at the Intensive Care Unit, the hospital said in a statement.

The deceased's platelet count dropped rapidly and was given blood transfusions. She died at 5.05am on Monday.

The Ministry of Health and the National Environment Agency (NEA) said in a joint statement on Monday night that the deceased's residence was in a dengue cluster of three cases. "NEA inspectors will continue with checks and conduct vector control operations in the area and residents are encouraged to cooperate fully. The public should also remain vigilant and clear any stagnant water in their homes and the vicinity," said the statement.

Singapore is still in the midst of the dengue season.

This year's dengue outbreak is the worst ever, with more than 16,000 people being stricken by the deadly disease so far this year. At its height in June, 842 people were infected in one week. The number of cases, which had gone down, had started to climb again recently. For the week ending Sept 28, 411 cases were reported, up from 376 the previous week.

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