Over 46,000 bottles of mosquito repellent have been distributed to students in selected schools situated in larger dengue cluster areas, The National Environment Agency (NEA) announced in a news release earlier this week.
NEA Distributes Mosquito Repellent to Schools
Along with the Ministry of Education (MOE), 37 schools across Primary and Secondary schools, as well as Junior colleges received these bottles as part of further efforts by NEA to protect the young against dengue.
To complement NEA’s efforts in breaking the dengue transmission chain, these schools have also procured mosquito repellent for use in the classroom.
Parents are strongly advised to have their children apply mosquito repellent before leaving for school, said NEA. Students are also encouraged to bring their mosquito repellent to school and reapply them regularly so as to ensure “maximum effectiveness” against dengue.
Working with MOE, NEA distributes schools in larger dengue clusters mosquito repellent. | Image source: iStock
To better equip both students and parents against dengue infections, all schools have also disseminated information to parents through the schools’ network to teach students on how to prevent mosquito breeding.
Through the platform, they have reiterated the three key protective actions against dengue: ‘Spray, Apply, Wear’ or ‘SAW’ in short.
“As the situation develops, NEA and MOE will continue to work together to provide mosquito repellent to other schools that are located in large dengue clusters of concern,” NEA said.
Apart from schools, NEA also mentioned that they are working with other partners and agencies to distribute mosquito repellent and educational materials to residents in dengue cluster areas as well.
It is said that more than 185,000 bottles of mosquito repellent have been distributed to households in active dengue cluster areas through house visits as of 17 August 2020.
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Dengue Cases Remain High
Image source: iStock
Singapore is currently facing the largest dengue outbreak. Earlier this month, dengue cases have already surpassed the 22,170 record in 2013.
This is in consideration that there are still 4 months left till the end of year.
According to NEA, there have been 25,053 reported dengue cases this year as of 17 August 2020.
While last week’s 1,341 reported cases are more than 400 cases below the historical peak of 1,792 reported cases (third week of July), it is important to remember that we are still amid the traditional peak dengue season that typically happens from May to October.
The weekly number of dengue cases remains high with 1,668 cases reported in the first week of August.
According to the Ministry of Health (MOH), a total of 20 people have died from dengue this year as of 2 Aug. The youngest victim was aged 25 whereas the oldest victim was aged 92.
The last time a dengue fatality involved a young person was in 2016 which involved an 11-year-old boy.
What Can Residents Do To Help Reduce Transmission
NEA said that it has been working closely with MOE to ensure that vector control measures are in place at all schools, and that potential mosquito breeding habitats are detected early and removed.
Beyond ongoing islandwide inspections and outreach efforts by authorities, residents can also play their part in helping to reduce dengue transmission as far as possible.
- Do the three protective actions (‘SAW’), ‘Spray, Apply, Wear’
- Be more alert during the early morning and late afternoon periods, when the Aedes mosquito tends to be most active
- Apply mosquito repellent if heading out to a dengue cluster area. Reapply regularly if out for a long period of time.
- Cooperate with NEA officers, and facilitate their checks and indoor misting in your home
- Do the Mozzie Wipeout at least once a week
- Look to resources on NEA’s website and myENV app to receive regular updates on the dengue situation
- Download the ‘Check and Protect’ checklist that highlights common mosquito breeding habitats. You can download it here.
For more information, you can submit your enquiries electronically via NEA’s Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application. Alternatively, you contact them at 6225 5632.
Here are the list of 37 schools in larger dengue clusters that have been distributed mosquito repellent as of Tuesday (18 Aug).
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