2021 has already started with quite the shocker! A lot happened last year and this year. and we have all been struggling to keep ourselves abreast of the changes around us and embrace new norms. While we were busy with all of that, and fretting over masks and hand sanitisers, dengue cases rose and snuck up on us.
Its resurgence not only proved to be an added health concern, it also proved fatal.
Image courtesy: Stock
The Dengue Threat Continues in 2021
Dengue has been on a rise since last year, only slowing down in these past few weeks. By the end of 2020, Singapore’s dengue cases had hit the 35,315 mark. If you recall, as of 30th September 2020, dengue cases in Singapore had reached over 30,000. In fact, the total number of cases last year exceeded 2013, the largest dengue outbreak in Singapore’s history as, the National Environment Agency stated on its website1.
To make things worse, there is now a new strain of dengue that is currently threatening the Republic. DENV-3, which has proven to be quite fatal to humans, is one which many here do not have immunity against. The last time we faced the DENV-3 outbreak was 30 years ago. The implication of this is that there is an entire generation of us who have neither the antibodies nor immunity against this new threat2. It is certainly something to be alarmed about.
Dengue Fact Check
For those who don’t know, dengue fever, is a mosquito-borne viral disease transmitted by the Aedes and Aegypti female mosquito. The virus is transmitted to humans via the bite of an infective mosquito. The Aedes mosquito is commonly found in tropical regions and unfortunately for us, the Aedes mosquito is one of the most common types of mosquitoes found here. As such, the dengue epidemic remains a perennial issue3.
What does dengue fever do to a person? In mild dengue cases, patient can suffer from high fever, rash, muscle and joint paint. In short, you feel really poorly. In more severe cases, the fever may progress to dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome; both of which can result in death.
Project Wolbachia
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said, even as we fight new and unknown threats, “we cannot take our eyes off other threats. We are redoubling our efforts to combat dengue, and one way is to use mosquitoes against themselves4. ”
Project Wolbachia involves the release of Wolbachia bacteria-carrying male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. When the released male Wolbachia mosquitoes mate with urban female Aedes aegypti that do not carry Wolbachia, their eggs don’t hatch. This reduces the mosquito population, and the risk of dengue transmission.
However, Wolbachia-Aedes mosquito suppression is just one of the ways we are fighting dengue. All of us have an important part to play in helping to destroy mosquito breeding habitats, all over Singapore.
Playing Our Part To Keep Dengue At Bay
The dengue threat is ever present but at this time of the year, we need to be extra vigilant, even though the numbers have been steady this year in 20216. In our bid to ensure that we wash our hands frequently and maintain personal hygiene, we must not lose sight of the fact that the dengue war we have been fighting in Singapore is an age old one.
The National Environment Agency has developed a quick and effective “10-minute 5-step Mozzie Wipe Out” routine to keep our homes free of any Aedes mosquito. The steps are:
- Change water in vases / bowls on alternate days
- Turn over all water storage containers
- Cover bamboo pole holders when not in use
- Clear blockages and put BTI insecticide in roof gutters monthly
- Remove water from flower pots on alternate days
New Baygon Double Nozzle Technology
In your measures to fight dengue, don’t forget about protecting your home, particularly those dark and hard to reach corners such as under the bed, sofa and behind the curtains. These are where nasty insects and mosquitoes love to breed. Your solution – Baygon, owned by SC Johnson, a global company with over 60 years of insect research expertise. The new Baygon Double Nozzle Technology, with its fast spray and wide coverage, offers a fast and effective solution as it wipes out 90% of mosquitoes in less than 30 seconds. That’s a double whammy for it gets rid of those infamous roaches as well. It protects you against mosquitoes and gives you the peace of mind this dengue season!
The new Baygon Double Nozzle is available at all supermarkets and convenience stores. You can even order it online from Lazada, Redmart and Shopee!
Our children and loved ones are extremely precious. It’s important for us to take all the necessary measures to keep them safe against anything that threatens their health and wellbeing – new viruses and old foes alike. Don’t let your guard down. Do the 5-step Mozzie Wipeout or use OFF! Insect Repellent Spray when going outdoors and don’t forget to fully safeguard your home with the new Baygon Double Nozzle spray!
For online purchases:
https://www.lazada.sg/products/baygon-30-nights-liquid-electric-repeller-i301150310.html
https://www.lazada.sg/products/baygon-multi-insect-killer-spray-i301192141.html
https://www.lazada.sg/products/off-aerosol-spray-insect-repellent-i301158973.html
References
- https://www.nea.gov.sg/media/news/news/index/nea-continues-with-the-momentum-of-intensive-vector-control-efforts-with-town-councils-to-combat-dengue
- https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/with-over-4000-infections-and-new-disease-strain-singapores-dengue-war-must-go-on
- https://www.healthxchange.sg/men/health-scares-outbreaks/dengue-fever-symptoms-prevention#:~:text=Dengue%20fever%20is%20an%20illness,epidemic%20remains%20a%20perennial%20issue.
- https://www.linkedin.com/posts/leehsienloong_projectwolbachiasg-activity-6711909971950374912-JZMB
- https://www.moh.gov.sg/diseases-updates/dengue
- www.nea.gov.sg/media/news/news/index/nea-urges-continued-vigilance-at-start-of-2021-as-aedes-aegypti-mosquito-population-remains-high-and-many-residents-continue-to-work-from-home
