EIGHTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD WOMAN PASSES AWAY FROM DENGUE

           The Ministry of Health (MOH) and the National Environment Agency (NEA) have been notified of the death of a dengue patient at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH). MOH and NEA wish to express our deepest condolences to the family of the patient.

2.         The patient was an 81-year-old Chinese woman who lived at Serangoon North Ave 1, where there is currently an active cluster with two cases.  She was first seen at the Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) Emergency Department (ED) on 6 September 2014 and was admitted. During admission, she was diagnosed with dengue. Her condition deteriorated and she subsequently passed away on 13 September 2014. 

 3.         One outdoor ground breeding was detected in an outlet pipe of an open perimeter drain. Vector control operations to kill any infective adult mosquitoes and destroy any potential breeding habitats are ongoing. Residents are encouraged to cooperate fully.

4.         We are still in the midst of the peak dengue season in Singapore and a large proportion of our population is still susceptible to dengue infection due to the lack of immunity. We urge everyone to continue maintaining vigilance and prevent mosquito breeding by doing the 5-step Mozzie Wipeout. All stakeholders need to remove stagnant water from our environment, so as to deprive the mosquitoes of their breeding habitats. Inverting pails and plant pot plates, changing water in vases regularly, and capping bamboo pole holders when they are not in use are simple steps that everyone can take to prevent mosquitoes from establishing a foothold in our neighbourhoods.

 5.         The latest updates on the dengue situation can be found at the Stop Dengue Now Facebook page, www.dengue.gov.sg or the myENV app. Persons who suspect they may have dengue should consult their doctors as early as possible and use mosquito repellents in order to reduce the risk of further dengue transmission.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AGENCY

13 SEPTEMBER 2014