Dengue case numbers continue to fall

SINGAPORE - The number of new dengue cases is continuing to fall, with 306 reported last week.

This is down from 391 and 541 in the preceding weeks, and it is the fifth straight week that numbers have gone down.

Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan said most of the clusters were "slowing down", but noted that there are still areas of concern in Tampines, Pasir Ris and Jurong West.

In a Facebook post last night he said: "We are not fully out of danger yet as this is still peak season, but we should be OK if we can keep improving. Thank you to all the dengue inspectors, volunteers and residents."

There are still 58 active dengue clusters, however, the biggest of which is in Tampines with 233 infections.

More than 13,600 people have been infected with dengue this year, with most coming from the eastern side of the island.

The viral disease, spread from person to person by the Aedes mosquito, has claimed four lives in Singapore so far this year.

Those bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus will become ill some four to seven days later.

Symptoms include a fever that comes on quickly, severe headache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting and skin rash. Those experiencing such symptoms are advised to seek medical care.

The two biggest previous dengue epidemics were in 2005, when 14,209 people were infected and 25 died, and in 2007 when there were 8,826 cases and 24 deaths.

maryamm@sph.com.sg

Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.