SINGAPORE - The National Environment Agency (NEA), comprising approximately 850 officers, is increasing their efforts in eradicating mosquitoes through “cluster operations” to reduce the occurrence of dengue fever in Singapore. The key objective of these operations is to prevent further dengue transmission by removing mosquitos in high risk areas.

As soon as a cluster is identified, officers from the NEA alert residents through various awareness mediums such as banners, posters and letters notifying households in the area; those who subscribe to the x-dengue website (http://www.x-dengue.com) receive SMS alerts. Grassroots organisations are also notified so that they can mobilise volunteers; general practitioners receive notifications too so that they can be mindful of potential cases of dengue fever.

The NEA conducts intensive checks outdoors and indoors. Based on past breeding data, likely sources of breeding in the area are targeted.

Officers are deployed on a daily basis to carry out intensive search and target suspected high risk clusters. Other government agencies who manage infrastructure in the affected estates are also alerted to increase their checks and remove stagnant water.

The inspections focus on public areas such as schools, bus interchanges and MRT stations, playgrounds, hawker centres, sports complexes and community centres as well as commercial premises.

During these inspections, potential or actual breeding habitats are removed. Common potential breeding spots routinely checked include drains, construction sites, barbeque pits and playgrounds. In places where stagnant water cannot be immediately removed, BTi, a biological pesticide, is applied by way of a mist applicator.

NEA officers also conduct door-to-door visits to check for mosquito breeding in households. Officers inspect all items that have the potential to collect and retain water such as discarded containers, pot plants and water features. The officers dispense information brochures after the inspection to improve public knowledge as to how to keep mosquitoes at bay.

Gavirtraps are used in affected areas. A Gravitrap is a hay infusion-filled cylindrical trap with a sticky inner surface which serves as a favourable site for female mosquitoes to lay their eggs (only female Aedes mosquitoes carry the dengue virus). Wire gauze is fitted above the water level; the female lays her eggs, which never hatch. The female mosquitoes are also trapped after laying their eggs due to the sticky surface.

The NEA works extensively with community groups to encourage the public to be pro-active in dengue prevention. Communities such as Joo Chiat and Braddell Heights have grassroots organisations that coordinate walkabouts and roadshows to convey dengue prevention messages.

Ultimately, individuals must take the necessary measures to protect themselves and their families by removing stagnant water and other such common mosquito breeding habitats from their homes to reduce the risk of dengue fever. Reducing the mosquito population with various repellents is one of the first steps. And, thanks to the efforts of the NEA’s “dengue detectives”, this awareness is being actively conveyed island-wide through their door-to-door visits.

For more information visit:

www.nea.gov.sg

www.x-dengue.com

www.dengue.gov.sg