Singapore saw a dramatic decrease in the number of dengue cases last year. Despite the rise in dengue cases in the region, the number of dengue cases reported was slightly more than 3,000, significantly lower than the 14,209 cases in 2005.

As we approach the warmer months of the year, where dengue usually strikes harder, the National Environment Agency has already started the rigorous dengue control regime put in place in 2006. Through a four-pronged approach* viz surveillance and control, public outreach, enforcement and research, we aim to maintain a low number of breedings and minimize the impact of dengue outbreaks. This will help to keep the incidence of dengue low in Singapore.

*Read more about the first two approaches below. The next two approaches will be updated on this site next week. Watch this space.

Pre-emptive strikes against the Mozzie

Preventive Surveillance Checks

Our 500 officers carry out regular surveillance island-wide in all 84 constituencies to systematically check and destroy mosquito-breeding habitats. All homes are checked in a three to six-monthly cycle, all construction sites once a month and all other premises – places of worship, schools, markets, food centres, government and commercial buildings etc. every three months.

In 2006, NEA inspected over 1.5 million premises, destroying some 13,000 over 7000 breedings, an almost 60% increase in checks.

A National Mosquito-Busting Effort
Through an Inter-Agency Dengue Taskforce, NEA also leads other government agencies to similarly enhance their mosquito control programmes to remove all possible mosquito-breeding sites.

This collaboration has improved the coordination of dengue control efforts among various agencies. It has also strengthened the mosquito control regimes of the various government agencies. Each agency has put in place a tighter and more comprehensive source reduction regime in their mosquito control contracts to prevent mosquito breeding. Furthermore, permanent solutions to eliminate potential sources of stagnant water like repairs to infrastructure, sealing up of cracks, backfilling of land and removal of roof-gutters are carried out on a regular basis to ensure potential breeding habitats are eliminated.

Targeted efforts where it matters most

To pre-empt the increase in dengue cases traditionally experienced during the warmer months of June to September, NEA carries out “Intensive Source Reduction Exercises” (ISREs) at strategic periods. In 2006, NEA with the other land agencies and Town Councils, as well as their pest control operators, carried out two ISREs in April to May and in July to September. This is a coordinated “search and destroy” operation covering public areas and residential estates, as well as premises belonging to government agencies. During the two Exercises, more than 1,500 breeding habitats were destroyed and 4,400 potential breeding habitats were removed or treated with larvicides.

Public Outreach

NEA has been working closely with the community and grassroots voluntary groups to keep the public vigilant through target-specific outreach programmes. To engage the community further, NEA also makes use of both broadcast advertising – messages through advertisements in newspapers, trains, at bus stops, and during television programmes to alert the masses to practice the 10- minute Mozzie Wipe-out steps. This is a series of five measures targeted at the most prevalent breeding habitats in homes.

A survey done in 2006 has shown a significant increase in the level of awareness of dengue among the general public.

NEA will continue to work with our partners in the community to bring about greater awareness and to make the practice of keeping homes free of mosquito breedings a daily habit for all. This is part of NEA’s long-term effort to encourage ownership in dengue prevention, which is the only sustainable approach.