Communicable Diseases Surveillance in Singapore 2011

15 November 2012

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Preface

I am pleased to present the Ministry of Health’s “Communicable Diseases Surveillance in Singapore 2011” Annual Report.

In 2011, there was a 33% decrease in the number of reported Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) cases in Singapore, from 30,878 cases reported in 2010 to 20,687 cases in 2011. However, while the majority of the HFMD cases which were tested positive for enteroviruses in 2010 were due to Coxsackie virus A6, the predominant virus causing HFMD in 2011 was Enterovirus 71 (EV71). EV71 infection in young children is known to be occasionally associated with severe complications and deaths. No cases of severe complications due to EV71 were reported in 2011. Singapore maintained its rigorous control measures for HFMD, which included widespread public education, and mandatory closures of childcare centres and preschools with significant numbers of HFMD cases and prolonged transmission of the disease.

Dengue fever (DF) is an acute febrile viral disease which is endemic in Singapore. It is transmitted by the Aedes mosquito. In some cases, dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF), a potentially fatal complication, may develop. A total of 5,308 cases of DF and 22 cases of DHF were reported in 2011, a slight decrease compared to 2010. The prevention and control of this disease hinges on the strong multi-sectoral collaboration between stakeholders such as government agencies, medical professionals, grassroots organisations, businesses, and members of the public to eliminate vector breeding.

The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) among Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents in 2011 remained stable at 41 cases per 100,000 population. However, the number of TB cases among non-residents continued to rise in tandem with a rise in the number of immigrants. A key challenge for TB control is to curb ongoing community transmission, which is often contributed by delayed diagnosis of infectious TB cases. To successfully control TB, it is important to ensure that all cases with TB are diagnosed early and that they undergo complete and appropriate treatment until fully cured.

This report was published from the compilation of epidemiological information on communicable diseases collated through our close working relationship with the community of health professionals and our partner agencies. We thank all health professionals and our partner agencies for their strong and continuous support and commitment in combating and minimising the threats of communicable diseases, so as to safeguard public health.

I hope that you will find this report useful and constructive in your field of work. I look forward to your continued support and cooperation in the national surveillance of communicable diseases.

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Foreword [PDF, 790 KB]

Population Profile [PDF, 620 KB]

Overview of Communicable Diseases Situation [PDF, 554 KB]

Air-/Droplet-Borne Diseases [PDF, 1.63 MB]