FIFTY-THREE-YEAR-OLD WOMAN PASSES AWAY FROM DENGUE

           The Ministry of Health (MOH) and the National Environment Agency (NEA) have been notified of the death of a dengue patient at the National University Hospital (NUH). MOH and NEA wish to express our deepest condolences to the family of the patient.

2.         The patient was a 53-year-old female Chinese national who stayed at West Coast Road. She was admitted to NUH on 23 February 2015. Her condition deteriorated and she passed away on the same day. 

3.         The patient had been staying in an area located within an active seven-case dengue cluster. NEA has been inspecting the premises in the area, and detected six counts of mosquito breeding thus far. Vector control operations to kill adult mosquitoes and destroy any potential breeding habitats are ongoing. Residents are urged to cooperate fully and allow NEA officers to inspect their premises for mosquito breeding and to spray insecticide to kill any infective mosquitoes.

4.         Over the past three weeks, there has been a dip in weekly dengue cases. Notwithstanding, we need to remain vigilant and continue to keep dengue cases in check as a large proportion of our population is still susceptible to dengue infection due to the lack of immunity. We urge everyone to continue maintaining vigilance and prevent mosquito breeding by doing the 5-step Mozzie Wipeout. All stakeholders need to remove stagnant water from our environment, so as to deprive the mosquitoes of their breeding habitats. Inverting pails and plant pot plates, changing water in vases regularly, and capping bamboo pole holders when they are not in use are simple steps that everyone can take to prevent mosquitoes from establishing a foothold in our neighbourhoods.

5.         The latest updates on the dengue situation can be found at the Stop Dengue Now Facebook page, www.dengue.gov.sg or the myENV app. Persons infected with dengue should protect themselves from mosquito bites by applying repellent as regularly as possible, and those showing symptoms suggestive of dengue should see their GPs early to be diagnosed.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AGENCY

24 FEBRUARY 2015