SINGAPORE - The Republic averted a "serious" dengue outbreak last year thanks to the help of various sectors in the community, said the National Environment Agency (NEA) yesterday.

This includes effort by households, town councils, government agencies and construction sites to prevent mosquito breeding.

The 5,330 dengue cases seen last year were "much lower" than the numbers expected during a peak or near-peak year of the traditional six- to seven-year dengue cycle, said the agency.

Fewer than 100 people per 100,000 of the population came down with the disease last year, compared to more than 300 during the last outbreak in 2005. There were about 14,000 cases then.

But while Singapore is currently in the low dengue transmission period, the NEA has cautioned residents not to let their guard down.

Since November, NEA officers have discovered near 1,300 mosquito breedings during home visits. Most of these were found in domestic containers, flower pot plates and ornamental containers.

The NEA said: "With the festive period around the corner, many are decorating their homes with floral decorations such as lucky bamboos, cherry blossoms and pussy willows.

"Extra care by residents will be needed to ensure that their vases and plant bowls for these decorations do not breed mosquitoes."

Advising residents to change the water in these vases and bowls on alternate days, the NEA said it will continue to work with members of the Inter-Agency Dengue Task Force to remove potential public breeding spots and conduct educational visits in homes, ahead of the coming warmer months.