415 dengue cases reported last week, lowest since start of this year

A dengue alert poster at a bus stop on Clementi Road. ST PHOTO: MALCOLM MCLEOD

SINGAPORE - There were 415 dengue cases reported in the week ending March 5, according to the latest figures from the National Environment Agency (NEA).

This makes it the lowest number of cases reported since the start of the year.

Another 72 cases were reported on March 6 and 7.

The number of dengue cases reported this year reached a high of 636 for the week of Jan 24 to 30.

A total of 4,961 cases have been reported so far this year. In the period of January to March last year, 2,159 cases were reported.

GRAPHIC: NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCY

Two have died from dengue - a 67-year-old Singaporean man who lived in Toa Payoh and a 47-year-old man who resided in Marsiling Rise.

NEA has stepped up enforcement efforts to curb the mosquito population, warning the public that dengue cases could hit a record high of 30,000 - surpassing the previous record of 22,170 cases in 2013.

NEA statistics show that most cases of mosquito breeding are in homes, such as in domestic containers and flower pot plates and trays.

From March 14, all home owners will be fined $200 if mosquitoes are found breeding in their homes. Previously, only home owners in dengue clusters were fined.

On Sunday (March 6), 120 grassroots volunteers went door to door in Jurong East to educate residents on dengue.

Jurong East is home to three active dengue clusters, the largest of which is in Jurong Street 13 with 35 cases.

Ms Grace Fu, MP for Yuhua, said many of the residents were not aware they were living in an active cluster.

For the Latest updates on the dengue situation, visit the Stop Dengue Now Facebook page, www.dengue.gov.sg or the myENV app.

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