Update on Chikungunya Fever Cases(5)

06 Feb 2008

As at 5 February 2008, investigations have found a total of 13 probable cases of chikungunya fever. They have been assessed at the Communicable Disease Centre (CDC) at Tan Tock Seng Hospital and 11 patients were admitted for isolation and management. All have since been discharged. The latest probable case identified is a Singaporean with no recent travel history and who lived at Mackenzie Road. She was admitted to hospital for suspected dengue on 16 Jan 08 and was later found to have chikungunya.

Since 14 January 2008, the Ministry of Health (MOH), together with National Environment Agency (NEA)’s Environmental Health Institute, has screened 2,626 people.

NEA has been conducting intensive search and destroy operations to remove mosquito breeding habitats. The agency has carried out ULV (ultra-low volume) fogging and residual spraying of premises in the Clive Street area to kill the adult mosquitoes. As an added preventive measure, NEA is continuing its operations in areas beyond the Clive Street area, which are bounded by Rochor Road, Race Course Road, Lavender Street and Jalan Besar. Some 20 NEA officers and 15 pest control operators are working in the area. More than 4,800 inspections have been conducted and a total of 77 breedings have been detected and destroyed. NEA has also checked the homes and the immediate neighbourhood for cases that reside outside of the area of operations to destroy mosquitoes and breeding habitats.  Other government agencies like SLA, LTA, URA and PUB are also sprucing up public areas to help prevent mosquito breeding.

Residents and premise owners are urged to check their premises daily to remove any stagnant water that may breed mosquitoes. This will help stop transmission of the virus. In addition, persons who have been in the Little India 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. FAQs on chikungunya can be found at www.moh.gov.sg

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AGENCY