Other than pre-emptive surveillance and public outreach, two other strategies NEA will continue to implement in 2007 are enforcement and research. Enforcement is needed to send a strong message that mosquito breedings have to be taken seriously and regular checks have to be carried out to prevent mosquito breeding. Research on the other hand is key to understand this vector and disease better. The more knowledge we have on these two fronts would help us in our battle to keep dengue fever cases in Singapore low.
Enforcement
In 2006, NEA took enforcement action against some 600 construction sites, 2,100 domestic premises and 1,500 non-domestic premises, such as factories and shophouses, for mosquito breeding offences. NEA will continue with its regular audit checks and enforcement actions will remain an important aspect of our overall efforts in reminding the public of their responsibility to keep their premises mosquito free.
Research
The Environmental Health Institute (EHI) under NEA carries out research on the behaviour of the Aedes mosquito and dengue virus so as to formulate appropriate preventive and control strategies that can be implemented into the dengue surveillance and control program.
The institute also develops tools that can provide early accurate diagnosis to enhance cluster response, and to assist in case management of patients. EHI has developed an in-house PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test, which allows faster detection of dengue cases. Early detection of dengue cases will enable quicker implementation of response measures for minimizing secondary transmission.
In 2007
NEA will continue this year to use the four-pronged approach - surveillance and control, public outreach, enforcement and research, which has served us well in 2005, to maintain a low dengue incidence in Singapore. NEA also actively participates in regional forums involving the World Health Organisation and Southeast Asia and Western Pacific countries. This allows us to exchange ideas and share experiences with other countries and contribute to regional efforts against dengue.
At home, dengue control remains a shared responsibility among members of the community. To this end, each individual needs to play his part in preventing mosquito breeding at source. If one link in the chain is broken, a breeding ground can quickly develop. It is only by working together can we continue to keep dengue in check.
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