Seventh dengue death in Singapore

The Ministry of Health (MOH) and the National Environment Agency (NEA) have been notified of the death of a dengue patient who lived at Hougang Street 22. This is the seventh local dengue death case this year. MOH and NEA wish to express our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased patient.

2. The patient was a 53-year-old Chinese woman who was first seen at the Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) Emergency Department (ED) on 11 Nov 2013 with a history of fever. She was diagnosed with dengue and admitted. Her condition deteriorated and she subsequently passed away on 16 Nov 2013.

3. Vector control operations are ongoing to detect and destroy any potential breeding habitats at the vicinity of the case residence. We hope that residents will cooperate fully with the NEA inspectors conducting ground operations. Although the case residence is not located within a cluster, we urge residents to remain vigilant and clear any stagnant water in their homes and vicinity. The key to effective dengue control is to eliminate all mosquito breeding habitats.

4. We urge everyone to continue maintaining vigilance against dengue and prevent mosquito breeding by doing the Mozzie Wipeout weekly.

5. More details on the latest dengue situation can be found at www.dengue.gov.sg. 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 spreading the infection further.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AGENCY

20 NOVEMBER 2013