By NewsDesk   @bactiman63

Health and environmental officials in Singapore have reported 5,999 dengue fever cases through April 22 prompting calls for the community to step up preventive action against the mosquito borne virus.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) reports the total cases to date is more than double that over the same period in 2019. With the traditional dengue peak season coming up from May to September, the number of dengue cases in 2020 is projected to exceed the 16,000 cases in 2019, unless immediate measures are taken to suppress the Aedes mosquito population.

The number of weekly dengue cases remain high, hovering around 300 to 400 cases per week, and continues to be a public health concern. The unusually high number of dengue cases before the typical peak dengue season (May to September), may increase the momentum of dengue transmission if there is a sustained change in the predominant Dengue virus serotype from current Dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2) to Dengue virus serotype 3 (DENV-3).

With most people working from home during this COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) circuit breaker period, home owners and occupants are advised to pay more attention to any mosquito breeding at home, take the necessary steps to remove breeding sites, and ensure proper housekeeping. NEA has observed a 50 per cent increase in Aedes mosquito larval breeding found in homes over the past three years, compared to in the preceding three years.

Outside of homes, NEA will be stepping up its inspections of common properties, especially drains, as well as construction sites, where construction site operators continue to be responsible for vector control measures to be undertaken at all times.