Additional case of suspected local malaria transmission

20 Jun 2009

1. One more case of vivax malaria has been confirmed and added to the malaria cluster at Jurong Island. He is a 46-year-old foreign construction worker who works and stays at Jurong Island. His date of onset of illness was on June 10 and he had no significant travel history.  He saw a doctor on June 12 who then notified MOH.  There are now 7 cases in the Jurong Island cluster, comprising all male foreigners aged 25 to 46 years. The illness onset dates of the cases in this cluster range from May 3 to June 10. The shape of the epidemic curve suggests that the transmission has continued to propagate and that the ongoing intensive vector control efforts must continue to stop any possible transmission.

2. The NEA is continuing with intensive checks for Anopheles mosquito breeding in the vicinity of Jurong Island. The dormitory operations also continue to do larviciding of mosquito breeding habitats, chemical fogging and residual spraying. NEA also continues with adult light trapping to monitor the population of the Anopheles mosquito in the said areas. The dormitory operators are not letting up on their efforts and are equipping their residents with mosquito netting and mosquito repellant as a precautionary measure. The spread of Malaria can be contained by ensuring that the Anopheles mosquito population is suppressed by isolating Malaria infective individuals and preventing them from being bitten by mosquitoes so that the disease is not transmitted further. 

3. Meanwhile, the malaria cluster at Sungei Kadut/Mandai Estate has appeared to stabilise. There are no new cases there and the total number in this cluster remains at 13. Their illness onset dates ranged from May 16 to Jun 10, comprising all males aged 21 to 51 years. 11 are foreigners and 2 are Singaporeans (one full-time national serviceman and one general worker).

4. MOH is monitoring the situation closely and will update the public on any new developments.

MOH's advice to the public

5. Malaria, like dengue fever, is a mosquito-borne disease and the best way to prevent malaria is to take precautionary measures against mosquitoes and prevent their breeding. Persons diagnosed with malaria should be isolated from further mosquito bites so as to reduce the risk of further transmission of the disease.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AGENCY

20 June 09