SINGAPORE: An 85-year-old retiree died from dengue shock syndrome on 28 April after being warded at the Tan Tock Seng Hospital three days earlier with symptoms of breathlessness, vomiting and fever.

More cases of dengue have since surfaced.

The latest figures from the National Environment Agency (NEA) show that there were 210 cases last week, the highest reported number this year.

And NEA said foreign workers such as construction site workers, clerks and nurses accounted for 35 percent of reported cases.

It said this could be due to their lower immunity to the virus strains found here.

Lee Yuen Hee, CEO, NEA, said: "We actually anticipated that there could be a rise in dengue cases because of the traditionally warmer weather at this point of time.

"It could be due to a combination of factors. It could be the switch from the stereotype from Type 1 to Type 2 or the intermittent rain that creates and recreates breeding grounds."

The NEA is working with 25 other government agencies to stop the Aedes mosquito from having a chance to breed by targeting sites outside residential areas such as construction sites and vacant plots of land.

Dr Ooi Peng Lim, Deputy Director, Communicable Diseases Division, Ministry of Health, said: "The mosquito is always striving to look for places to breed, so whilst these habitats are being eliminated, the mosquito is actively seeking new habitats. And these efforts may in fact drive the mosquito to look into households to lay their eggs."

And according to the NEA, some 85 per cent of breeding grounds are found in homes.

"If we don't take heed, then we are giving the mosquito every opportunity to propagate itself, introducing infective virus into the community and triggering an epidemic," said Dr Ooi.

The Health Ministry said an epidemic could happen in the next two years if the trend continues uncontrolled.


- CNA/so/yy