SINGAPORE - The total number of dengue cases in 2016 has surpassed the figure for the whole of last year, according to the latest updates on the National Environment Agency's (NEA) dengue website.

As of Monday (Sept 5), there have been 11,343 reported cases of the mosquito-borne virus - 57 more than the 11,286 cases recorded in 2015.

Last week saw dengue cases rise for the third straight week to hit 311, the first time since March that the weekly figure has exceeded the 300 mark.

With Singapore currently in the traditional peak dengue season, NEA has repeatedly warned that it is anticipating an upward trend in the number of cases in the coming months.

It warned in February that there could be more than 30,000 cases this year - higher than the historic 22,170 cases reported in 2013.

Seven people have died from dengue this year, three more than in the whole of last year.

NEA's Gravitrap data has also shown a steady increase in the Aedes aegypti mosquito population, indicating an abundance of the mosquito vector in the community.

The mosquito is responsible for transmitting both the dengue and Zika viruses, as well as yellow fever and chikungunya.

"Source eradication of mosquito breeding habitats and spraying of insecticides to control the adult mosquito population remain key dengue prevention," NEA stressed.

"NEA encourages everyone to join in the collective effort to help stop the dengue transmission cycle by doing the five-step Mozzie Wipeout."

There are currently 59 active dengue clusters across the island, with 13 classified as high-risk.

A cluster in Bedok is the highest risk with a total of 50 cases, including 10 in the past fortnight.