Environment and Water
Resources Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan said Singapore has "reached a
critical juncture" in the evolution of the dengue epidemic.
820 cases were reported last week, bringing the total
number to 9,421. That is the highest ever in Singapore's history, surpassing
even the previous peak during the 2005 epidemic.
The minister said it is going to get worse before it
gets any better.
Apart from the rising numbers, there is evidence that
dengue clusters are spreading across Singapore from the east, west to the
northern regions.
There are four contributing factors to the current
epidemic. Firstly, the Aedes mosquito is now predominant across the island.
Secondly, the currently circulating dengue virus - Dengue Serotype 1 - has
higher epidemic potential. Thirdly, the low immunity amongst the population
makes people more vulnerable. Lastly, the hot and wet weather accelerates the
life cycle of the Aedes mosquito and increases the likelihood of stagnant water
accumulating.
Dr Balakrishnan said: "Our numbers are still
rising and we are going into a peak dengue season so we cannot afford to lose
control at this stage."
The National Environment Agency (NEA) will step up
surveillance and inspection.
It will recruit another 300 officers over the next two
months so that all premises in dengue clusters can be checked within a week.
Officers will be equipped with a new aerosol spray and
it will be applied to dark corners of homes. The spray is said to last in the
air longer and is more deadly to mosquitoes.
1.2 million insect repellents will also be distributed
for free to households in dengue clusters.
Homes remain the top culprit for breeding spots.
Mr Balakrishnan said: "Infectious diseases are a
test of special cohesion as a society and we need everyone to understand that
our own health depends on the health of our neighbours and we need to exercise
personal and collective responsibility for each other."
The Health Ministry has sent circulars to hospitals
reminding them to be on heightened alert and give priority to returning A &
E patients.
It has also released an additional 160 beds since
March 2013, of which only 10 per cent are in use. By the end of the year, there
will be another 90 beds added.
Dr Amy Khor, Minister of State for Health, said: “We
have been working with every hospital, right down to the restructured hospitals
to see where the added capacity can come from. And as the minister has said,
the total absolute number of additional beds is there to cater to any surge in
demand for beds due to dengue cases."
So far, only about 1.8 per cent of beds in public
hospitals are occupied by dengue patients. Less than 30 per cent of dengue
cases are admitted to hospital.
On the management of suspected dengue patients,
authorities stressed that proper procedures are in place.
They added that most patients do recover from the
disease.
So far, there have been two dengue-related deaths here
this year.
The victims died after being discharged from A & E
and re-admitted to hospital due to worsening conditions.
This has led some to raise concerns over the way
suspected dengue cases are managed.
"Our doctors are working very hard on the
ground... We can all sit down here and pontificate but there is no substitute
for clinical judgement and one-on-one interaction for doctors. Our duty at the
ministry level and administrative level is to make sure all the resources that
are needed are available, so that whether you need beds, whether you need
drugs, whether you need drips, whether you need any diagnostic tools, all those
things are available, so that doctors can do what they do best," said Dr
Balakrishnan.
- CNA/xq/ir
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