NEA adopts a multi-pronged approach to control dengue. The main thrusts in our approach are:

1. preventive surveillance and control;
2. public education & community involvement;
3. enforcement; and
4. research.

(a) NEA's Pest Control Efforts (Manpower)

• In 2006, NEA had doubled its manpower deployment for mosquito control to 500 officers and formed dedicated teams responsible for regular auditing, inspections and enforcement in each of the 84 constituencies.
• These teams, being familiar with the areas under their charge, are able to identify and pre-empt potential problematic areas quicker and more effectively.
• NEA had inspected 1.5 million premises and carried out more than 40,000 ground surveys in 2006, an increase of 60% and 29%, respectively, as compared to 2005.
• The number of breeding found in homes in 2006 was 44% lower than in 2005, this is observed despite the increase in inspections by NEA by 59%.

(b) Integrated Efforts with Other Agencies/Organizations

NEA works with various land agencies as well as private organizations and associations to ensure that there is a coordinated approach in keeping the mosquito population and dengue cases low. Some of the agencies NEA has worked with include:

i) Construction Sites

• Since 2001, an Environmental Control Officer (ECO) Scheme had been introduced in construction sites. Under the Scheme, construction sites are required to engage a part time or full time ECO depending on the cost of the development.
• These NEA-trained ECOs are responsible for maintaining the pest and mosquito control works within the construction sites.
• Today, only 6% of construction sites inspected were found breeding Aedes mosquito, down from 30% in 1999.

ii) Schools

• Since 1999, a programme was introduced to train Operation Managers of schools on dengue prevention.
• Through the training, these Managers have a deeper knowledge of mosquito control and are able to audit the performance of their pest control operators more effectively
• NEA also worked closely with the schools to put in place a comprehensive mosquito control programme.
• Today, only 1% of schools inspected are found breeding mosquito, down from 25% in 1999.

iii) Town Councils

• In Sep 2005, NEA had assisted TCs to kick-start a dedicated mosquito control programme. The dedicated programme focus the dengue control efforts on source reduction.
• Apart from providing technical specifications for dengue control works, NEA also provided some financial assistance for these programmes.
• TC officers were also trained as Estate Environmental Officers so as to equip them with the necessary mosquito control knowledge and skills to supervise the performance of pest control operators.
• Regular meetings with TCs are held to assess and review the dengue situation within their respective TC areas.
• In 2006, the Aedes breedings in TC-maintained areas fell by 57% compared to 2005. This reduction was seen despite the increase in inspections in TC maintained areas by 30%.

iv) Inter-Agency Dengue Task Force

• The Chief Executive of NEA chairs the Inter-Agency Dengue Task Force (IADTF) comprising of 25 government agencies and private associations.
• Through IADTF, NEA leads other government agencies to similarly enhance their mosquito control programmes.
• This collaboration has enhanced the communication and coordination on dengue control efforts among various agencies. Since then, the mosquito control regimes of the various government agencies had been strengthened. Each agency has put in place a tighter and more comprehensive source reduction regime in their mosquito control contracts with pest control operators.
• 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.

(c) Intensive Source Reduction Exercises (ISREs)

• As NEA officers carry out routine surveillance checks everyday, additional pre-emptive Intensive Source Reduction Exercises” (ISREs) are carried out ahead of the warmer months to preempt the rise in dengue fever cases, which usually occurs around June to October.
• ISREs consist of coordinated, preemptive search and destroy operations carried out to remove mosquito breeding habitats (including potential habitats), hence suppressing the rise in mosquito population during warmer months.
• The operations cover all public areas and residential estates, as well as premises belonging to government agencies.
• In 2006, NEA led other land agencies to carry out two ISREs successfully (Apr-May and Jul-Sep) to curb the surge in dengue cases traditionally experienced during the warmer months.
• NEA, together with land agencies, town councils, as well as their pest control operators, carried out coordinated search and destroy operations in the agencies’ premises and public areas including residential estates. Potential breeding habitats were also identified for necessary follow-up action.