Dengue claims second victim this year

A second dengue patient has died in the outbreak this year.

The 85-year-old Joo Chiat Lane resident was first diagnosed at Parkway East Hospital on Sunday. His condition, however, deteriorated and he died on Monday.

The man's death comes amid a drop in the number of dengue cases in recent weeks, after a peak of 891 cases reported in the week of June 29 to July 5. Some 754 people were infected last week, a drop from the 821 cases in the previous week.

There were, however, 98 new dengue cases between Sunday and 3.30pm on Monday, said the National Environment Agency (NEA) on its website.

The Health Ministry and NEA said in a joint statement yesterday that the estate where the man lived was in a former dengue cluster where 15 cases were reported.

The agency had also detected four cases of mosquito breeding in the cluster, all in common areas. "NEA will continue with inspections and vector control operations in the area. Residents are encouraged to cooperate fully," said the authorities.

The first person to die from dengue this year was a 59-year-old woman who lived in Tampines Street 32. She was diagnosed with dengue at Changi General Hospital on Dec 30 last year, before being transferred to Gleneagles Hospital for treatment. She died on Jan 8.

Last year, in the worst dengue epidemic seen here, 22,170 people were infected and seven died.

"We are in the midst of the peak dengue season in Singapore and a large proportion of our population is still susceptible to dengue infection," said the Health Ministry and NEA. They have encouraged people to prevent mosquito breeding by removing stagnant water, inverting pails and plant pot plates, changing water in vases regularly, and capping bamboo pole holders when they are not in use.

For the latest updates on the dengue situation and tips to prevent Aedes mosquito breeding, visit the Stop Dengue Now Facebook page and www. dengue.gov.sg, or use the myENV app.

Those who suspect they may have dengue should consult their doctors as early as possible and use mosquito repellent to reduce the risk of further dengue transmission.

goyshiyi@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on July 23, 2014.
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