Update Of Chikungunya Fever(1)

16 Aug 2008

Cluster detected at Pasir Panjang Wholesale Centre (PPWC)

1. The Ministry of Health (MOH) was notified of two cases of chikungunya fever involving a 61-year-old father and his 32-year old daughter who stay at Hong San Walk. The daughter developed symptoms on 8 Aug 08 and sought outpatient treatment. She was tested positive for chikungunya on 12 Aug 08 and has since recovered. Through MOH’s active case detection, her father was tested positive for chikungunya and is now hospitalised. They have no recent history of travel overseas prior to the onset of the illness and their movement history was confined to their residence and their workplace at Pasir Panjang Wholesale Centre (PPWC).

2. On 14 Aug 08, MOH conducted active case detection at PPWC. So far, our blood screening of 184 workers has detected 1 PCR-positive case, involving a 44-year-old worker. Our preliminary investigation indicates that there is likely to be local transmission at PPWC.

3. NEA was also notified of the two new chikungunya cases on 14 Aug. 20 officers were immediately deployed to carry out vector control inspections at the Pasir Panjang Wholesale Centre where four breedings were found. The breedings were subsequently destroyed and fogging was carried out within the wholesale centre and its vicinity. Vector control operations continue today.

Update on Kranji Way Cluster

4. MOH has been notified of two additional cases of chikungunya fever linked to the Kranji Way cluster. They are a 52-year-old local and a 41-year-old Chinese National who work at Kranji Way. The two cases have no recent history of travel overseas prior to their onset of illness. The total number of cases linked to Kranji Way currently stands at 32.

5. NEA officers have been conducting intensive mosquito control operations within the vicinity of the cases’ workplace and their homes outside the cluster.  So far, up to 70 NEA officers have been deployed in the area to keep mosquito breeding in check.  As an added preventive measure, NEA has also extended its operations to areas beyond the Kranji Way, including Kranji Loop, Kranji Rd, Kranji Link, Sungei Kadut Dr and other Sungei Kadut areas.  So far mosquito breedings were found and destroyed in 52 factory premises. Enforcement action has been taken. NEA has also served orders to owners to keep their premises free of mosquito breedings. Under the law, if owners should breach this order, a $2,000 fine would be imposed for breedings found the first time. All premise owners are urged to check their premises daily to remove any stagnant water that may breed mosquitoes.

Update on Sungei Kadut Cluster

6. MOH has been notified of a 61-year-old clerk who stays at Senja Link and works at Sungei Kadut St 1. She developed symptoms on 10 Aug 08 and was admitted to hospital. She has no recent history of travel overseas. The total number of cases linked to Sungei Kadut currently stands at 3.

7. NEA officers have been conducting intensive mosquito control operations within the vicinity of the cases’ workplace and residences.

Other new Chikungunya Cases

8. MOH has been notified of 3 new cases of chikungunya fever involving 3 local males, two aged 48-year-old and one 65-year-old. They stayed at Segar Road, Jalan Berjaya and Queen St. All three have no recent history of travel overseas prior to their onset of illness. MOH has conducted active case detection among their close contacts. So far none was tested positive for chikungunya virus.

9. NEA has been carrying out vector control operations in and around the cases’ residential premises, including their work places and places that they normally frequent.

10. To date, a total of 117 cases of chikungunya fever were notified to MOH in 2008. Of these cases, 54 were imported cases with history of travel to Johor (43 cases), Malacca (3 cases), Indonesia (4 cases), Sri Lanka (2 cases), India (2 cases). There have been 15 incidents from which 63 local cases  have arisen.

Ministry’s Advice to the Public

11. The Ministry advises persons who develop symptoms of chikungunya which include fever, and joint pain to consult their doctors immediately.

12. 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 so as to reduce the risk of further transmission of the virus.

13. Chikungunya outbreaks continued to be reported in our region such as Malaysia (Johor, Malacca, Negri Sembilan and Perak), Indonesia and India. Therefore, the risk of imported cases leading to local transmission remains high.

14. Persons travelling to these places are thus advised to take precautionary measures to protect themselves from mosquitoes and seek prompt medical treatment upon their return if they become unwell and develop fever.

Ministry of Health

National Environment Agency

16 August 2008