Another Chikungunya Fever Case Detected

12 Jun 2008

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has been notified of a case of chikungunya fever involving a 37-year-old expatriate housewife who stays in Farrer Road. She developed symptoms on 6 June and sought outpatient treatment on 8 June. She is currently warded in hospital. Investigations revealed that this was likely a case of local transmission of chikungunya fever as she and her family did not have any recent travel history.

2. To date, a total of 24 cases of chikungunya fever were notified to MOH in 2008. 16 (including this latest case) of these are local cases, of which 13 were from the Little India cluster in the early part of this year and 2 were from the recent Teachers Housing Estate cluster.

Situation in Singapore

3. Arising from the latest case, MOH has conducted blood screening among members of her household and close friends. So far, none tested positive for chikungunya virus. MOH has assessed that there is no need for mass screening at this moment as there is no evidence of further transmission. The National Environment Agency (NEA) is carrying out vector control and surveillance in all areas the case has visited recently, and MOH will continue to monitor the situation closely.

4. Upon notification of a probable case at Farrer Road yesterday, NEA proceeded with intensive search and destroy operations, including insecticide spraying in all affected premises in the area.   Since yesterday, about 140 premises were inspected and as an added preventive measure, NEA had extended its operations to the surrounding areas. So far, only one breeding in a flowerpot plate has been detected and destroyed.  NEA is continuing with the operations until the threat of chikungunya is removed from the area. Residents and premise owners are reminded to check their premises daily to remove any stagnant water that may breed mosquitoes.

5. Chikungunya fever, like dengue fever, is a mosquito-borne disease and the best way to prevent chikungunya fever is to take precautionary measures to prevent mosquito breeding. Persons infected with chikungunya fever should be isolated from further mosquitoes bites (by sleeping under a mosquito net and/or use mosquito repellent during the first few days of illness) to reduce the risk of further transmission of the virus.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AGENCY

12 JUNE 2008