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There were also three dengue deaths in the first quarter, said Minister of Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli on Sunday (April 7th). There was one death at the same time last year.
Masagos spoke at the launch of the national dengue prevention campaign 2019, which usually takes place before the dengue peak period, from June to October. The campaign calls for a concerted effort to strengthen dengue prevention measures.
"In Singapore, dengue fever remains a permanent threat," Masagos told Kampung Admiralty Community Plaza.
"The effects of climate change, where the temperature is expected to increase, will exacerbate the challenge," he added.
The minister pointed out that countries in the region such as Indonesia and Malaysia have also experienced a surge of dengue cases this year.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) said in a statement that it expects an increase in the number of dengue cases in the hottest months to come unless active measures are taken to control the population of dengue fever. mosquitoes.
At present, mosquito traps capturing Aedes female mosquitoes and their eggs – called gravitraps – are being deployed in HDB fields, giving the NEA insight into the density of mosquitoes in various areas of Singapore.
This allowed the agency to remove an additional 21% of nesting habitat last year compared to 2017, the year of introduction of the traps.
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Gravitraps will be deployed in the new HDB blocks and land subdivisions in the second half of this year.
Approximately 14,000 additional traps will be installed this year, adding to the current 50,000 traps.
Phase three of the Wolbachia project, which releases sterile male mosquitoes to control the mosquito population, has also begun.
In previous studies in Nee Soon East and Tampines West, the Aedes mosquito population decreased by 80% and 70% respectively.
The NEA carried out nearly a million inspections last year and revealed about 18,000 mosquito breeding habitats, Masagos said.
About 224,000 inspections were conducted from January to March this year, according to the NEA.
"The most important focus (of dengue prevention) is the vigilance of the community," Masagos said. "To win the war against dengue, everyone must be vigilant."
He encouraged residents to remove stagnant water from their homes and pay particular attention to breeding sites such as buckets, trays, flower pot plates and vases.
https: //www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/more-than-2000-dengue …
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