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Number of dengue cases on a decline

SINGAPORE — The number of dengue cases fell for the third consecutive week to 544 cases last week, the lowest rate in almost three months, according to latest figures from the Ministry of Health (MOH).

SINGAPORE — The number of dengue cases fell for the third consecutive week to 544 cases last week, the lowest rate in almost three months, according to latest figures from the Ministry of Health (MOH).

Nevertheless, there are 109 active dengue clusters as of yesterday — an increase from the 80 reported last week. These clusters are spread across the island with 34 clusters recorded as high-risk areas with 10 or more cases.

The weekly number of dengue cases has been declining since reaching an all-time high of 842 in the third week of last month.

Previously, the authorities had warned that dengue cases were expected to exceed 1,000 a week. Still, the National Environment Agency (NEA) stressed that the number of dengue cases remain high.

“It is thus too early to tell if the drop in cases will be sustained, particularly when we are still in the peak dengue season,” said an NEA spokesperson.

Associate Professor Leo Yee Sin, Director of Tan Tock Seng Hospital’s Communicable Disease Centre, reiterated that it will be “too quick” to conclude at this juncture that the peak of the epidemic is over. She explained that the typical dengue season here starts from around May to September.

Assoc Prof Leo said: “We need to continue to be vigilant, on high alert against mosquito breeding, and have good knowledge and put in place control measures in order to protect ourselves and our loved ones.”

So far, five people here, including one patient who contracted the mosquito-borne disease overseas, have died from it. The latest cumulative number of cases stand at 13,049.

In 2005, when the worst dengue outbreak hit Singapore, 14,209 people were infected and 25 died.

Between 2010 and last year, there was a lower incidence of dengue but the cases occurred all year round

Since dengue numbers escalated earlier this year, the Government has hired more officers to step up checks on the ground and increased publicity efforts, among other things.

Urging Singaporeans to continue with dengue prevention efforts, the NEA spokesperson said that mosquito repellents will be distributed to students from Monday with priority given to schools in the dengue clusters.

The NEA has set aside an estimated S$85 million to combat dengue for the current financial year and the authorities plan to distribute 1.2 million insect repellents to all households and schools.

Between Sunday and 3pm yesterday, there were 73 cases.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY NEO CHAI CHIN AND WOO SIAN BOON

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