Update On Chikungunya Fever Situation(5)

25 Sep 2008

Current overall situation

There have been an additional 13 cases of chikungunya fever (including six imported cases) since the last update. As of 24 September 2008, a total of 231 cases were notified this year. Of these, 108 were imported cases with history of travel to Johor (87 cases) and other states of Malaysia (12 cases), Indonesia (four cases), Sri Lanka (two cases), India (two cases) and the Maldives (one case). The 123 local cases were distributed across 25 work/residential locations, including 41 cases at Kranji Way, 21 at Sungei Kadut, 13 at Little India, ten at Lim Chu Kang, eight at Bah Soon Pah Road, five at Pasir Panjang Wholesale market, four at Mandai Estate, two at Teacher's Estate, two at Seletar Farmway and two at Bangkit Road.

New imported cases

The six imported cases, three Singapore residents and three Malaysians, had all travelled to outbreak affected areas in Johor, Malaysia prior to their onset of illness.

New local cases

Of the seven local cases, six were linked to existing clusters while one was a separate infection.

The new additions to the clusters are as follows:

• Lim Chu Kang – Three new cases staying at Lim Chu Kang Lane developed symptoms on 16 Sep. This brings the total number of cases in the cluster to ten.

• Sungei Kadut – A new case in the Sungei Kadut vicinity developed symptoms on 11 Sep. This brings the total number of cases in the cluster to 21.

• Bah Soon Pah Road – A new case in the Bah Soon Pah area developed symptoms on 13 Sep. This brings the total number of cases in the cluster to eight.

• Mandai Estate – A new case in the Mandai Estate developed symptoms on 5 Sep. This brings the total number of cases in the cluster to four.

An additional separate infection was identified in a 55 year-old businessman who stayed at St Martin’s Drive. He developed symptoms on 16 Sep and recovered following outpatient treatment.  He has no recent overseas travel history. All his family members are well.

Vector control operations by the National Environment Agency (NEA)

Upon notification by the Ministry of Health (MOH), the NEA has been carrying out vector control operations in and around the cases’ residential premises, including their work places and places that they normally frequent.  Mosquito breedings that are detected during our inspections are destroyed immediately and enforcement actions have been taken against owners/occupiers of premises found with mosquito breedings to ensure that they take the necessary measures to keep their premises free of further mosquito breedings. 

Updates on Additional Sporadic Case at St Martin's Drive:

NEA officers have been deployed to carry out vector control operations in the area. No mosquito breeding has been detected thus far. The NEA is continuing with its inspections  in the area.

Updates on Existing Clusters:

All premise owners are urged to check their premises daily to remove any stagnant water that may breed mosquitoes.  Orders were also served on premises owners to render their premises non-conducive for the breeding of mosquitoes.  Under the law, non-compliance with such orders can result in a maximum fine of $50,000.

Ministry’s Advice to the Public

In the absence of a vaccine, and the presence of the Aedes mosquito vector, Singapore remains vulnerable and receptive to the introduction of Chikungunya outbreaks. It is likely that cases will continue to occur as long as situations in neighbouring countries do not improve. The full support and cooperation of the community and every stakeholder is needed to minimise the likelihood of the disease becoming endemic in Singapore.

The Ministry advises persons who develop symptoms of chikungunya which include fever, joint pain and rashes to consult their doctors immediately.

Chikungunya fever, like dengue fever, is a mosquito-borne disease and the best way to prevent chikungunya fever is to take precautionary measures against mosquitoes and prevent their breeding. Persons infected with chikungunya fever should be isolated from further mosquito bites so as to reduce the risk of further transmission of the virus.

NOTE: MOH will post weekly updates on the MOH website every Wednesday.

For subsequent updates on the chikungunya situation in Singapore, please refer to the MOH website at www.moh.gov.sg.

Ministry of Health

National Environment Agency

25 September 2008