By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

Singapore environmental officials reported an additional 652 dengue cases last week, bringing the total for the year to 8,023.

Aedes aegypti mosquito feeding on a human host/CDC

This total through July 20 is about five times more than the total number of dengue cases reported in the same period last year.

From June to October is considered peak dengue season in Singapore and like much of southeast Asia, an upsurge of dengue cases is being reported in neighboring countries.

Subscribe to Outbreak News TV 

Dengue fever is a disease caused by the dengue virus which is transmitted to humans via the bite of an infective mosquito. There are four different serotypes of dengue virus (DENV1-4) circulating in the world, including Singapore. Hence, individuals can be infected with dengue up to four times. First-time dengue infections can be severe, especially among the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions, and repeat dengue infections have been associated with a higher occurrence of severe dengue. Dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome can be fatal.