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SINGAPORE : Three more people have been confirmed to have the chikungunya disease. This is on top of the latest victim, 62-year-old EC Sng, whose case was alerted to the Ministry of Health (MOH) on May 2.
With the latest update, the total number of people hit by the virus this year now stands at 17.
MOH revealed that the three other cases involved a 45-year-old tourist who arrived here from Sri Lanka in February, a 54-year-old American who travelled to Sri Lanka before coming here in March, and a 48-year-old housewife who arrived from Indonesia in April.
As for Sng, MOH said his case was also imported because he had visited Indonesia prior to the onset of the illness. His infectious period is now over.
However, the National Environment Agency (NEA) is not taking any chances and has combed the area where he lives.
NEA is carrying out "search and destroy" efforts of mosquito-breeding sites.
So far, there have been 13 cases of local transmission and this took place in January when some people staying in Little India were infected. MOH said although the local outbreak was contained in the area, the public needs to stay vigilant to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
Authorities are also taking the necessary precautions to stop chikungunya cases from being imported into Singapore from endemic countries.
Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent chikungunya fever, which is characterised by fever and joint aches.
Like dengue fever, chikungunya fever is a mosquito-borne disease. MOH said the best way to prevent chikungunya fever is to take precautionary measures to prevent mosquito breeding around the house and to protect oneself against mosquito bites.
To reduce the risk of contracting chikungunya fever while travelling to chikungunya fever outbreak areas, travellers should take measures to reduce their exposure to mosquito bites - like wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors, using mosquito coils and electric vapour mats, as well as using insect repellent over the exposed parts of the body.
- AFP /ls
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