Update on Chikungunya Fever Cases(1)

21 Jan 2008

As at 20 January 2007, investigations have found a total of 9 probable cases of chikungunya fever. They have been assessed at the Communicable Disease Centre (CDC) at Tan Tock Seng Hospital and 7 patients have been admitted for isolation and management. Among these, 2 have since been discharged, leaving 5 patients still in hospital.

Of the 9 probable cases, 8 are from the same section of Clive Street and the remaining case from the nearby vicinity of Dickson Road.

Since 14 January 2007, the Ministry of Health (MOH), together with National Environment Agency (NEA)’s Environmental Health Institute, has screened 822 people living or working in the Clive Street area. Screening efforts are continuing today.

NEA inspected a total of 2,514 premises (some units had been revisited) in the Little India enclave. A total of 33 indoor breeding and 10 outdoor breeding sites were detected and destroyed. Residents and premise owners are advised to check their premises daily to remove any stagnant water that may breed mosquitoes.

Persons who have been in the Clive Street area recently and have developed a fever are advised to consult their doctors. Persons infected with chikungunya fever should be isolated from further mosquitoes bites (by staying indoors and sleeping under a mosquito net during the first few days of illness) to reduce the risk of further transmission of the virus.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AGENCY