NewsDesk @bactiman63

Less than one month ago, the Singapore National Environment Agency (NEA) reported an expected surge in dengue fever cases this year. They noted three key factors: (i) high Aedes aegypti mosquito population detected in the community; (ii) previously uncommon Dengue virus serotype 3 (DENV-3) circulating; and (iii) sizeable proportion of people still staying in and working from home.

During the first four months of 2022, officials have reported 6,423 total dengue fever cases, already far exceeding last year’s total.

According to the quarterly surveillance data from the Ministry of Health, 3,335 dengue cases (including 7 dengue hemorrhagic fever cases) were notified in the quarter from Jan to Mar 2022, an increase of 279.8% as compared to the previous quarter from Oct to Dec 2021.

There was one reported death due to local dengue infection from Jan – Mar 2022.

Results of positive dengue samples serotyped between Jan and Mar 2022 indicated that DEN-3 accounted for majority of the typed samples, followed by DEN-2 and DEN-4.

Dengue is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus). Dengue fever is not contagious and does not spread directly from person to person. A mosquito is infected when it takes a blood meal from a dengue-infected person. After approximately one week, the mosquito can then transmit  the virus to other people they bite.

Dengue fever usually develops within four to seven days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Symptoms include:
• Sudden onset of fever for two to seven days
• Severe headache with retro-orbital (behind the eye) pain
• Joint and muscle pain
• Skin rashes
• Nausea and vomiting
• Bleeding from the nose or gums or easy bruising of the skin
Dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome is a severe form of dengue fever that could result in death.