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The number of dengue fever cases has
remained high over the last two months. To help the public maintain a
high level of vigilance, the National Environment Agency (NEA) and
Ministry of Health (MOH) will provide weekly information on current
dengue cases and the locations of active dengue clusters through the
internet. |
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From Thursday 25 Aug 2005, a map showing the
location of dengue cases throughout Singapore and a table listing the
locations of active clusters will be posted on the websites of both NEA
and MOH. |
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The information will be updated every
Tuesday and it will reflect cases and clusters according to
epidemiological week. An epidemiological week (E-week) starts on a
Sunday and ends on a Saturday. |
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A dengue cluster is formed when two or more
dengue cases occur within 14 days and the homes of the dengue cases
victims are within the distance of 150m. This means there could be
active transmission of the dengue virus within the neighbourhood
concerned. |
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As soon as a cluster is identified, NEA
officers will conduct a thorough sweep of the neigbourhood to eliminate
all breedings and adult mosquitoes. A cluster will only be closed when
no new case is reported after 14 days from the last dengue case. |
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A sample of the information shown on the
websites is given in the Annex. The information in the Annex is for
E-week 33 and shows the geographical distribution of dengue cases and
the location of active dengue clusters between 14th and 20th August. |
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The public can access the information
through either MOH's or NEA's websites at
http://www.moh.gov.sg/dengue_hotspots or
http://www.nea.gov.sg respectively. |
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It is hoped that with the information of the
location of dengue hotspots provided, the public will be more proactive
in preventing mosquito breeding in their homes. |
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Other property owners, land agencies and
those who manage facilities can also make use of the information and
ensure that their anti-dengue measures can be more effectively carried
out. |
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NEA will continue with its programmes to
bring the message of dengue prevention to all. These include advisory
letters notifying residents concerned to take preventive measures to
prevent mosquito breeding whenever dengue cases are reported in a
neighbourhood. |
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Alert banners indicating the number of
dengue cases, posters and advertisements will continue to be put up at
prominent locations in the neighbourhood lift landings, bus stops, etc.
Grassroots leaders and volunteers will be mobilized to remind households
to check their homes for breeding. |
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In addition, the respective Town Councils
and land agencies will be notified to step up their checks for breeding
in the common areas of the neighbourhood. Ultimately, we need the
collective effort of all to prevent mosquito breeding and to reduce the
number of dengue cases in Singapore. |
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For more information on dengue, the public
can access weekly updates on the incidence of dengue published on the
MOH Weekly Infectious Disease Bulletin at:
http://www.moh.gov.sg/corp/publications/idbulletin. Answers to
frequently-asked questions (FAQs) on dengue can also be found on MOH
website at:
http://www.moh.gov.sg/corp/about/faqs/illness.do. Dengue prevention
tips are also available on NEA's website. |
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Source:
www.moh.gov.sg Press Release 24 Aug
2005 |
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New dengue alert map on MOH & NEA Web sites
