The number of dengue cases between from 11 to 17 December, had quite a hike, where there had been 81 cases of dengue infection.
The weekly figure is 20 more cases when compared to the week before. However, it is still continuing the trend of low infection rate which stayed below 100 for seven weeks in a row.
As of 3 pm on 19 December, it said that another 15 cases were reported.
The number of people infected with dengue for 2016 is currently at 12,979 cases. This has exceeded the total cases reported on the whole 2015 with 11,286 cases.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) warned that the number of cases this year might reach more than 30,000 cases, almost double the number of 11,286 cases reported in 2015. This means that this year will be marked as the highest cases report in history, exceeding 22,170 cases reported in 2013, based on the speed of infections in the start of the year.
However, this is unlikely to happen since the number of the cases has declined sharply during the past two months.
Currently, there are 9 active dengue clusters across the island, with two areas, Petir Road and Highland Road/Yio Chu Kang Road, classified as high risk.
On 7 November, an 81-year-old male who lived in Mandai Estate passed away due to dengue infection at the Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH). This has brought the total victims who succumb to dengue fever this year to nine, twice the number recorded in 2015.
The same mosquito vector which transmits dengue also transmits Zika, yellow fever, and Chikungunya. The vector control implemented will also help to prevent Zika and other vector borne diseases from taking roots in the country.
On 4 October, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) had approved the use of dengue vaccines.
According to HSA, two groups of experts from HSA’s Medicines Advisory Committee and Dengue Expert Panel, comprising medical doctors and infectious diseases specialists, were consulted during the review to ensure that the vaccine is relevant and the benefits outweigh the risks for the Singapore population.
Members of the public are still encouraged to do the 5-step Mozzie workout.
