Chikungunya

27 Aug 2008

Question No:  731  

Question

Name of the Person: Mdm Ho Geok Choo

To ask the Minister for Health (a) why is there a recurrence and worsening of the chikungunya disease since the January outbreak in Little India only infected 13 people compared to the 28 infected by the recent outbreak in Kranji; (b) whether there are weak points in the system for curbing the disease; and (c) if so, what is the Ministry planning to do to tighten measures to fight this recurrence.

Reply

Reply From MOH

1 Chikungunya is a viral disease that is transmitted by the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes. These mosquitoes, which also spread dengue fever, are commonly found in Singapore and in the region.  Chikungunya is a self-limiting disease and deaths are rare. There is no vaccine against Chikungunya.

2 The first case of chikungunya in Singapore was reported in late 2006. There were 3 cases in 2006 and 10 in 2007. All cases were imported. The first cases of local transmission of chikungunya were from the outbreak in Little India in January this year. By now, a total of 150 cases have been reported – 70 were imported cases and 80 through local transmission. Most of these cases occurred recently in July and August.

3 Chikungunya is endemic in our region, including Indonesia and Malaysia. In the last few months, cases of chikungunya have been increasing in Malaysia, especially in Johore. This development, combined with the large volume of travellers between Singapore and Johore, is a major reason for the recent surge in the number of chikungunya cases here. About 80% (56 of 70) of the imported cases had a recent travel history to Johore. 

4 The key strategy to controlling chikungunya and preventing it from becoming endemic here is better control of mosquito breeding. But this requires full cooperation by all and constant vigilance.  The National Environment Agency has worked hard to control mosquito breeding for a long time. However, they continue to find mosquito breeding sites upon investigation of places of residence or work of local cases with chikungunya fever. My Ministry will continue to work with the National Environment Agency to facilitate rapid vector control of Aedes mosquitoes upon notification and detection of cases of chikungunya fever. We will also continue to reduce disease transmission through active case detection and measures to protect cases from further mosquito bites.

5 The public has an important role to play in eliminating the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes and taking sufficient precautions against mosquito bites while travelling overseas. This will help minimise the risk of disease importation and transmission. We have to work together to prevent chikungunya from taking root in Singapore.