It's dengue season – here's how you can help prevent its spread
Dengue fever is a viral disease that is widely prevalent throughout the world and affects millions of people annually. Transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, the painful and sometimes lethal disease has spread rapidly in all regions in recent years, says the World Health Organization (WHO), which estimates that about 390 million dengue infections occur globally every year.
WHO claims “about half of the world’s population is now at risk” of developing dengue fever.
Sri Lanka is presently grappling with its worst-ever outbreak of dengue fever. As of the first week of July 2017, the virus had reportedly infected at least 70,000 and lead to the deaths of more than 200 people in the island nation.
Dengue fever is also widespread in Singapore with the June to October period typically recording the highest number of dengue cases. The National Environment Agency (NEA) says this is because there is accelerated breeding of Aedes mosquitoes and shorter incubation periods of the dengue virus at this time. While this year has yet to see a large spike in cases as in years past, it is always good to be vigilant.
“Source eradication of mosquito breeding habitats and spraying of insecticides to control the adult mosquito population remain key to dengue prevention,” NEA says on its website. “All stakeholders need to remove stagnant water from our environment, so as to deprive the mosquitoes of their breeding habitats.”
Inside the home, mosquitoes commonly breed in vases, bowls, plant pot plates, and other receptacles that contain stagnant water. Outside the home, mosquitoes usually breed in perimeter drains, gully traps, bamboo poles and discarded containers.
Singapore residents can contribute to dengue prevention by following the 10-minute five-step Mozzie Wipe-out routine developed by the NEA.
The 5 steps are:
Change the water in vases and bowls on alternate days.
Remove the water from flower pot plates on alternate days.
Turn over all water storage containers.
Cover bamboo pole holders when not in use.
Clear blockages and put BTI pesticide in roof gutters monthly.
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