SIXTY-NINE-YEAR-OLD MAN 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 Mount Alvernia Hospital. MOH and NEA wish to express our deepest condolences to the family of the patient.

 2.         The patient was a 69-year-old Chinese man who lived at Chuan Terrace. He was admitted to Mount Alvernia Hospital on 24 November 2014. His condition deteriorated and he subsequently passed away on 27 November 2014. 

 3.         The patient’s residence is located in an active dengue cluster. NEA has completed inspecting all premises in the area, and detected 20 counts of mosquito breeding thus far. Vector control operations to kill any infective adult mosquitoes and destroy any potential breeding habitats are ongoing. Additionally, thermal fogging was also carried out at the cluster area. Residents are encouraged to cooperate fully. Landed home owners are reminded to check their roof gutters, clear blockages and place Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (BTI) larvicide monthly. They should also clear the drains in their gardens from blockages, and place water bearing receptacles under shelter.

4.         Weekly dengue cases have dipped consecutively over the past five weeks. While there has been a decrease in the number of cases, we need to remain vigilant and continue to keep dengue cases in check as 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 infected with dengue should protect themselves from mosquito bites by applying repellent as regularly as possible, and those showing symptoms suggestive of dengue should see their GPs early to be diagnosed.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AGENCY

27 NOVEMBER 2014