NewsDesk @bactiman63

In a follow-up on the dengue fever outbreak in Singapore this year, the National Environment Agency (NEA) now reports 7,306 cases through May 6.

Image/CDC

This includes 1005 dengue cases reported in the week ending 30 April 2022. The highest weekly total in a couple of years.

NEA says the number of weekly reported dengue cases continues to rise sharply, even before Singapore reaches the traditional peak dengue season from June to October.

As of 4 May 2022, there are 206 active dengue clusters, with 46 dengue clusters with red color alert (i.e. cluster with 10 or more cases). Dengue virus serotype 3 (DENV-3) has been detected in 43 of the 46 dengue clusters with red color alert. In March 2022, the Aedes aegypti mosquito population (the primary dengue vector) remained high in areas of Singapore, and was about 48 per cent higher than in the same period last year (March 2021).

The high Aedes aegypti mosquito population together with circulation of the previously uncommon DENV-3 will lead to a further surge in dengue cases in the coming months. Everyone needs to urgently do their part to remove stagnant water from our environment and maintain good housekeeping, to deprive mosquitoes of potential breeding habitats.