Rainy season could have caused spike in dengue cases: NEA

SINGAPORE — The onset of the rainy season could have caused an increase in the incidence of dengue, said the National Environment Agency (NEA) today (Oct 29).

The NEA said detected a 15 per cent increase in the number of cases of mosquito breeding in homes and a 30 per cent increase in construction sites early this month. Last week, 496 dengue cases were reported, a sharp increase from the previous week’s 374 cases.

As of Oct 5, the NEA has carried out more than four million inspections in homes and over 9,000 inspections in construction sites. Thirty-four contractors have been charged in court, and 20 contractors have been penalised with fines totalling S$1.3 million.

THe NEA said it has also issued 18 Stop Work Orders at sites with multiple breeding habitats and poor housekeeping practices.

“In view of the deteriorating situation, NEA will step up enforcement actions against errant contractors. NEA will work with the Singapore Contractors Association Limited (SCAL) to implement appropriate mosquito control regimes within construction sites,” added the agency.

The NEA also urged members of the public to be vigilant in preventing mosquito breeding in their homes, worksites and neighbourhoods.