53-year-old woman is first dengue death in 2015

SINGAPORE - A 53-year-old female Chinese national has died from dengue fever at National University Hospital (NUH) on Monday, the Health Ministry (MOH) and National Environment Agency (NEA) said in a statement today.

The patient, who had been staying at West Coast Road, was admitted to NUH on Feb 23, but her condition deteriorated and she died on the same day.

She had been staying in an area located within an active seven-case dengue cluster, MOH and NEA said.

She is the first person to die from dengue fever this year, following the five who died from the disease in 2014, reported The Straits Times.

NEA had detected six counts of mosquito breeding at premises in the area, and vector control operations to kill adult mosquitoes and destroy any potential breeding habitats are ongoing.

Although the number of weekly dengue cases has fallen over the past three weeks, MOH emphasised the need to remain vigilant and continue to keep dengue cases in check.

"We urge everyone to continue maintaining vigilance and prevent mosquito breeding," MOH and NEA said, while also reminding members of the public to remove stagnant water, inverting pails and pots, changing water in vases regularly and capping bamboo pole holders when not in use.

The agencies added that persons infected with dengue should protect themselves from mosquito bites by applying repellent as regularly as possible, and those showing symptoms suggestive of dengue should see their doctors early to be diagnosed.

seanyap@sph.com.sg