NEA is working closely with partner agencies and stakeholders to stem dengue transmission in dengue cluster areas

As of 14 February 2024, there have been more than 2,600 reported dengue cases in Singapore this year. Weekly dengue cases have remained high, with 515 cases reported in the week ending 10 February 2024. This is more than double the number of dengue cases reported in December 2023. The steady rise in weekly dengue cases over the past ten weeks is a big concern, and is likely driven by intense disease transmission in areas with high Aedes mosquito population. Our population’s low herd immunity to all four Dengue virus serotypes is also a contributing factor.

Increase in Mosquito Breeding and Egregious Cases

The number of Aedes mosquito breeding habitats found in residential premises has doubled¹ in January 2024 compared to January 2023. In homes, mosquito breeding was detected in domestic containers (e.g. pails), flowerpot plates/trays, and ornamental containers (e.g. vases). NEA also detected mosquito breeding in ground puddles and canvas sheets at construction sites. In public areas, common mosquito breeding habitats include drains and discarded receptacles.

NEA continues to detect egregious cases of premises with multiple mosquito breeding habitats, and common breeding habitats with profuse mosquito breeding.

i. Residential premises in a dengue cluster at Boon Lay area
NEA detected 174 instances of mosquito breeding, of which 101 were found in homes. NEA continued to detect mosquito breeding more than three months after the dengue cluster was formed. In particular, in December 2023, a residential premises was found with profuse mosquito breeding in two mop pails, containing over 100 and more than 900 mosquito larvae each.

ii. Residential premises in a dengue cluster at Pasir Ris area
NEA detected 90 instances of mosquito breeding, of which 62 were found in homes. In particular, in December 2023, a residential premises was found with profuse mosquito breeding of about 100 larvae in a pail. Another premises was found with three instances of mosquito breeding in a bucket cover, basket, and flowerpot.

iii. Construction site within a former dengue cluster at Club Street
During NEA’s inspections in September 2023, a construction site at Club Street was found with multiple mosquito breeding. Mosquito breeding was detected in water tanks, a scupper drain, and a road cutter machine. An SWO was issued to the contractor – M/S Tiong Seng Contractors – on 8 September 2023². However, the contractor was found to have not complied with the SWO on three occasions in October 2023. In November 2023, mosquito breeding was detected once more at the same site at Club Street. M/S Tiong Seng Contractors has been charged in court and fined $217,500 for the multiple offences.

➡️ Related Read: What You Need to Know About Dengue Fever

NEA will also take stern enforcement action against non-compliant owners, who obstruct its officers from carrying out dengue inspection duties.

i. Obstruction of duty during dengue inspection at Rivervale Drive
During an inspection in July 2023 at Rivervale Drive, an NEA inspection officer detected mosquito breeding in a porcelain pot. Upon informing the owner of the mosquito breeding and that samples would be collected, the owner turned aggressive and attempted to destroy the evidence. The owner was subsequently charged in court and fined $1,000 for obstructing NEA officers in their duties.

NEA Urges Immediate Action to BLOCK Dengue

All stakeholders, including homeowners, managing agents and construction companies, have a role to play in vector control. NEA urges the construction industry to continue to do its part to curb dengue transmission, by putting in place a good system of housekeeping, refuse management and routine pest control checks and treatment, to protect their workers and visitors against dengue.

NEA urges everyone to take immediate action to suppress the Aedes mosquito population and break disease transmission at their premises, by regularly practising the following ‘B-L-O-C-K’ steps:

• Break up hardened soil
• Lift and empty flowerpot plates
• Overturn pails and wipe their rims
• Change water in vases
• Keep roof gutters clear and place BTI insecticide inside

Residents, especially those residing in dengue cluster areas, should do their part and carry out the ‘S-A-W’ protective actions against dengue:

• Spray insecticide in dark corners around the house
• Apply insect repellent regularly
• Wear long-sleeve tops and long pants

Individuals diagnosed with or suspected to be infected with dengue are also advised to avoid further mosquito bites, by carrying out the S-A-W actions, to prevent passing on the Dengue virus to mosquitoes and other people in their neighbourhoods.

Residents and premises owners can check the NEA website regularly for dengue updates, and use the myENV mobile app to set alerts on areas with dengue clusters and high Aedes aegypti mosquito populations.

➡️ Related Read: How to Improve Your Dengue Recovery

¹ Provisional data as of 7 February 2024.
² A Stop Work Order was issued on 8 September 2023 for M/S Tiong Seng Contractors to focus on housekeeping, and to
review the effectiveness of sanitation and vector control measures within the construction site at Club Street. M/S Tiong Seng Contractors was found to be carrying out construction work on three separate occasions despite the Stop Work Order. For non-compliance with the Stop Work Order, M/S Tiong Seng Contractors was fined $17,500.

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