Over 2,000 cases of Dengue Fever reported in 2023 so far, with peak expected between June and October

Over 2,000 dengue cases have been reported in the first three months of the year, with 39 active dengue clusters in Singapore currently, said the National Environment Agency (NEA) on Saturday (Mar 25).  

The risk of dengue transmission remains high, with 39 active dengue clusters currently. 

Weekly dengue cases since the beginning of the year have remained above 100, NEA added, and a contributing factor to the relatively high weekly baseline at the start of 2023 is the high Aedes aegypti mosquito population detected in the community, which is 16 per cent higher than during the same period in February 2022.

Another factor is the continued prevalence of the previously less common DENV-3, which has been detected in large dengue clusters across the island. 

Community exposure, and hence immunity, to DENV-3 is low, despite this serotype being the main driver of last year’s dengue outbreak.

NEA warned that if it’s left unchecked, Singapore may face another dengue outbreak in 2023. The last two-year dengue outbreaks happened 2013-2014, 2015-2016, and 2019-2020. 

In light of this, the NEA launched its annual National Dengue Prevention Campaign early this year on Saturday. The campaign aims to rally the community to take immediate action to reduce the number of dengue cases, by highlighting areas that are at higher risk and health consequences of dengue, through this year’s tagline: “Little but Lethal”. 

Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and the Environment Baey Yam Keng urged members of the public to take urgent collective action to reduce mosquito breeding habitats in the fight against dengue, to avert another major dengue outbreak in 2023.

As part of the campaign, an art exhibit on severe dengue symptoms was also put up. 

NEA said that local Grassroots Advisers and Leaders, with support from volunteers, will conduct house visits at dengue cluster areas and areas with high Aedes aegypti mosquito population to advise residents on common mosquito breeding habitats, and share dengue prevention tips.

To sustain a high level of awareness, the islandwide outreach will be carried out over at least three months.

To prevent the spread of dengue, residents must break up any hardened soil, lift and empty flower pot plates, overturn pails and wipe their rims, change water in vases, keep roof gutters clear and place BTI insecticide.

In order to protect themselves, residents are also encouraged to spray insecticide in dark corners of their house, apply insect repellent regularly and wear long sleeved shirts and pants.