Another Chikungunya Fever Case Detected(1)

01 Aug 2008

Another Chikungunya Fever Case Detected

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has been notified of a case of chikungunya fever involving a 60-year-old housewife who stays in Jalan Jelita. She developed symptoms on 24 July and sought outpatient treatment at a GP clinic on 25 July. Our 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 48 cases of chikungunya fever were notified to MOH in 2008. Of these cases, 17 were local cases; 13 were from the Little India cluster in the early part of this year and 2 from the Teachers Housing Estate cluster, 1 from Farrer Road and 1 from Jalan Jelita.

Situation in Singapore

3. Arising from the latest case, MOH has carried out active case detection and blood screening among her household contacts and foreign workers working at the nearby construction sites. All were found to be negative for chikungunya virus. As there is no evidence of further transmission, MOH will not be conducting mass screening at the vicinity at the moment but will continue to monitor the situation closely. It is advised that persons who have travelled to Jalan Jelita recently and have developed fever and joint pains to consult their doctors.

4.  NEA officers are conducting intensive mosquito control operations within the vicinity of the case’s residence. More than 83 premises have been inspected and a total of 3 mosquito breedings have been detected within the premises in the area. Spraying of insecticide has been carried out in 75 premises around the case’s residence so far.  Intensive operations to keep the area free of breeding will continue. Residents and premises owners in the vicinity of Jalan Jelita are advised to check their premises daily to remove any stagnant water that may breed mosquitoes.

Travel advisory

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 the breeding of mosquitoes. 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 – so as to reduce the risk of further transmission of the virus.

6. While there had been chikungunya cases detected locally, the majority of the cases remained imported (31 cases thus far this year). There have been reports of chikungunya outbreaks in our region such as India, Indonesia, and Malaysia (Johor, Perak).  Persons travelling overseas are advised to remain vigilant and seek prompt medical treatment if they are unwell and developed symptoms of chikungunya which include fever, joint pain and rashes.