New Dengue Alert Map on MOH and NEA websites

24 Aug 2005

The number of dengue fever cases has remained high over the last two months. To help the public maintain a high level of vigilance, the National Environment Agency (NEA) and Ministry of Health (MOH) will provide daily information on current dengue cases and the locations of active dengue clusters through the internet.

From Thursday 25 Aug 2005, a map showing the location of dengue cases throughout Singapore and a table listing the locations of active clusters will be posted on the websites of both NEA and MOH. The information will be updated daily and it will reflect cases and clusters according to epidemiological week. An epidemiological week (E-week) starts on a Sunday and ends on a Saturday.

A dengue cluster is formed when two or more dengue cases occur within 14 days and the homes of the dengue cases victims are within the distance of 150m. This means there could be active transmission of the dengue virus within the neighbourhood concerned. As soon as a cluster is identified, NEA officers will conduct a thorough sweep of the neigbourhood to eliminate all breedings and adult mosquitoes. A cluster will only be closed when no new case is reported after 14 days from the last dengue case.

A sample of the information shown on the websites is given in the Annex. The information in the Annex is for E-week 33 and shows the geographical distribution of dengue cases and the location of active dengue clusters between 14th and 20th August.

The public can access the information through NEA's websites at http://www.nea.gov.sg respectively. It is hoped that with the information of the location of dengue hotspots provided, the public will be more proactive in preventing mosquito breeding in their homes. Other property owners, land agencies and those who manage facilities can also make use of the information and ensure that their anti-dengue measures can be more effectively carried out.

NEA will continue with its programmes to bring the message of dengue prevention to all. These include advisory letters notifying residents concerned to take preventive measures to prevent mosquito breeding whenever dengue cases are reported in a neighbourhood. Alert banners indicating the number of dengue cases, posters and advertisements will continue to be put up at prominent locations in the neighbourhood lift landings, bus stops, etc. Grassroots leaders and volunteers will be mobilized to remind households to check their homes for breeding. In addition, the respective Town Councils and land agencies will be notified to step up their checks for breeding in the common areas of the neighbourhood. Ultimately, we need the collective effort of all to prevent mosquito breeding and to reduce the number of dengue cases in Singapore.

For more information on dengue, the public can access weekly updates on the incidence of dengue published on the MOH Weekly Infectious Disease Bulletin. Answers to frequently-asked questions (FAQs) on dengue can also be found on the MOH website. Dengue prevention tips are also available on NEA's website.