Facts of dengue cluster in Singapore

As of end June, there are a total of 13,826 dengue cases in Singapore and total cases are expected to continue growing and exceed the spike year of cases in 2013 over 22,170 cases. In addition, there is an increase in death of total 16 and a rocket high dengue clusters of 323 reported. Rentokil Initial discusses essential facts we all need to know about dengue clusters in Singapore, and how to safeguard ourselves from becoming a victim of the new Denv-3 serotype.

What you need to know about dengue cluster

What is a dengue cluster?

Dengue cluster is an area or a location that has active mosquito transmission. However, these locations have to contain at least two or more cases established within 14 days and a proximity of 150m. In addition, there are three tier classifications in terms of severity comprising red, yellow and green tier. It is important to check against the dengue clusters list updates frequently reported by the National Environment Agency to determine if you are residing within the danger zone. This is because a non-active cluster might turn active depending on the mosquito population and number of mosquito breeding found in the respective location. Dengue clusters are in most of the island comprising of locations and would change depending on community efforts, mosquito control measures, breeding sites and activities engaged.

Red

High risk areas with over 10 cases

Yellow

High risk areas with cases 10 or below

Green

No new cases reported and under surveillance over the next 21 days

Trends of dengue clusters

On an average in the last week of June, the daily cases is at 192 with a record daily case of 284. And on a weekly average, 983 cases are reported with particularly high surge in weeks with cases as much as 1468 cases. There is a five-fold increase in Aedes mosquito larvae found in homes and residential premises, particularly among the top five dengue cluster areas. For instance, 217 cases identified in the Woodleigh Close, Woodleigh Lane, Woodleigh Park and Youngberg Terrace. Followed by 191 cases around locations comprising Geylang, Guillemard Road and Sims Avenue. Finally, 185 cases along areas of Bukit Panjang Ring, Jelapang Road, Senja Link, Senja Road and Woodlands Road.

Factors affecting dengue clusters

So what will affect the closure or rise of dengue clusters in Singapore? Which environment is at higher risks of contracting the dengue fever symptoms? Here are the five factors that promotes more mosquitoes’ activities:

Rising in vegetation and greenery landscape

Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide as they spend their time resting at vegetation sites including shady areas, grass, shrubs, weeds and bushes. Such vegetation and an agricultural environment is common in Singapore as we move into a green city. Plants and landscaping at homes are also becoming a common home and décor lifestyle as they spruce their home like a garden sanctuary.

Emergence of construction sites and works in Singapore

More contractors and construction resuming their operations and works as we open from the Circuit Breaker. With more transportation, residential and commercial properties in the developing pipeline, there will be more sites situated island-wide. This means, creating receptacles among clutters, hardened soil, puddles of water on uneven ground, or any equipment and tools that collect water. If left untreated, the developed adult mosquitoes can potentially transmit the disease to the large number of construction workers onsite.

Vacated environment and premises promotes breeding

For an environment, that is vacant, unoccupied and unattended increases the risks of breeding. For instance, it may collect stagnant water that is either not removed and starts breeding, or no mosquito treatment is applied to treat the larvae. These mozzies when developed will travel to occupied units as part of cross infestation, thus transmitting the dengue diseases.

Working from home increase risk of mosquito bites

Aedes mosquitoes are active in the daytime, which is the time we as individuals are active as we work from home this period. Especially windows and doors kept open and these flying mozzies enter into the homes easily. Transmission of dengue increases as we expose ourselves to this deadly pest more and eventually, spread the transmission from home to home.

Read also: When are mosquitoes most active?

Increase in number of indoor larvae breeding

Mosquito infestations begin with the presence of larvae breeding and it is seen growing among residential clusters. Common home mistakes, home integrity and water presence are some factors increasing the incidence of breeding. In addition, there may be a lapse in regular checking of breeding sites. Thus, these habits promote the chance of larvae breeding to take place, and eventually increasing the adult mosquito population.

Singapore is a dense city with home clusters

Singapore is a very small island with a total land area of 724.2 square kilometres that houses over 5.6 million of population. This makes Singapore very dense with homes packed and established close to one another. Reported numbers in the first quarter of 2019 shows as many as 1.25 million of public housing that illustrates a close proximity of one another including those of the mosquitoes. Hence, it is not difficult for a home to turn into a dengue cluster with ongoing mosquitoes’ activities.

Warmer climates at certain parts of Singapore

The climate conditions fluctuates and changes across the different regions in Singapore, with factors influencing such as cloud cover, rainfall and humidity level. With greater cloud coverage, it reduces the sunshine heat thus lowering the temperature in that cluster. Other considerations include heat coming from buildings, roads, vehicles and electricity usage. In summary, warm weather promotes mosquitoes activities to thrive better and potentially reduce their development cycle days. Above all, weather can affect pest activities not just mosquitoes but others as well including termites, rats and cockroaches.

What to do if you reside in a dengue cluster?

First, do not panic and stress over the fact that you are living within the dengue cluster. Here are some mosquito control activities you can undertake to protect yourself further.

The Control Method – Engage a pest control company

Leave the hassle and worries to the pest control company to handle the mosquito condition for you. They have a structured and professional approach managed by licensed specialists. Firstly, they assess your premise and environment for risk factors and infestation level. Secondly, they will check your home’s integrity and determine if proofing and corrective measures are needed. Thirdly, an integrated pest control service covering fogging, larviciding and mosquito trap is recommended with necessary frequency and number of units. Finally, a monitoring and inspection follow up service is scheduled fortnightly or monthly to ensure mosquito population is well controlled.

The Proofing Method – Blocking all mosquitoes’ entries

Mozzies are unwelcome and unwanted home guests and we should not allow their entries. Proofing is one way to block and shut them away by installing insect or magnetic screens on your windows and balcony sliding door. In addition, keep windows close to avoid mosquitoes flying in from surrounding areas. Fix those gaps and crevices that not only allows mosquitoes to enter, but other crawling insects such as cockroaches and ants. Above all, install a bed netting to avoid mosquitoes biting us without noticing at night.

The Elimination Method – Remove opportunities for mosquitoes to surface

More importantly is to disallow the opportunities for mosquitoes to develop and surface. Firstly, make sure there are no water spills and droplets that are capable of turning into stagnant water for mosquito breeding. Secondly, be mindful of the containers, pots and pails that become receptacle risks. Thirdly, make sure that you change the water in the pond, water feature and vase regularly. Finally, check that the drainage system is functioning well to avoid water chokes and clogs.

The Protection Method – Protect yourself from mosquitoes contact

Self-protection is another way in managing the health and safety amidst the dengue epidemic. Use a mosquito repellent and insect patch with hints of citronella to repel mozzies away. Keep your body temperature and home environment cool as heat attracts mosquitoes. If possible, avoid exposing your skin to mosquitoes by covering with longer sleeves and pants. There are various home remedies to deter mosquitoes by using natural ingredients. While they work short term with less concrete efficacy, some form of repel may help in your protection.

You are not safe even not living out of dengue cluster

If you are the current lucky one who happens to be residing away from the dengue cluster, save this thought for a while. Here are some reasons why you may be of risk and not spared from the deadly disease.

Mosquitoes can move from place to place

Mosquitoes travel and allow cross infestation to take place by visiting your home. In addition, they can reach high with a height range of up to even metres. This means, even if you are living in a flat or apartment, it is possible for mosquitoes to attack you in your home.

Mosquito breeding can surface with poor housekeeping

As tiny as a twenty-cent coin size of water, it is possible to breed mosquitoes in your home. Water and moisture can result easily through plant watering activities, housekeeping negligence, weather situations such as rain drips, faulty pipes and plumbing functions. It only takes up to 7 days or more to develop into an adult mosquito.

Situational and environmental changes

Unfortunately, environment changes and urbanisation is uncontrollable, and once a safe and well-contained premise may turn into a hotspot. For instance, there may be a new construction site taking place and of risk of receptacle generation. Establishing vegetation or green concept near your home that attracts mosquitoes. Lastly, home conditions such as cracks and holes that allow pest entrance.

Mosquitoes can locate you with their receptors

They have receptors meant to locate and track you as host. As they sense and pick up the carbon dioxide, they can identify and follow your location. With these carbon dioxide trails, they can potentially follow you even if you have moved away from the dengue zone.

You may also like: Ten facts we did not know about mosquitoes

Emergence of denv-3 with low immunity

We are all at risk of being bitten by mosquitoes and in particular by Aedes mosquitoes. The current mozzie challenge is the emergence of the Denv-3 strain. Historically, the two comment viruses comprises the Denv-1 and Denc-2. However, the Denv-3 is emerging in recent months and individuals are susceptible to this virus transmission due to a low immunity. In addition, there are no vaccines available and only applicable for patients within the age range of 12 to 45 years and has a history of dengue infection.

Read also: Dengue fever in Singapore. How to prevent mosquitoes from breeding

Take precautionary mosquito prevention measures

One way to protect yourself from mosquito bites and risk contracting dengue is to adopt diligent mosquito prevention measures.

• Detect for signs of mosquitoes such as presence of mosquitoes buzzing around or spotting larvae and breeding around the premise
• Perform regular housekeeping by keeping environment dry and free from moist, remove all receptacles and take up the mozzie wipe-out programme
• Engage integrated mosquito pest control by taking care indoors and outdoors covering the mosquito life cycle
• Monitor and track the infestation condition, environment assessment with professional pest control reporting facility

Besides taking proactive steps in controlling the mosquito activity and their population, it is important to protect your own health and safety. Firstly, understand what attracts mosquitoes to you such as your perspiration and body heat. Secondly, it is helpful to apply repellent or patch when you engage in outdoor activities. Thirdly, always keep cool and keep the temperature low in the home. Fourthly, it is recommended to wear light coloured clothing as opposed to darker shade tone. Finally, if you are spending more time at shady and high vegetation places, put on long sleeves and pants sportswear to protect your exposed skin from mosquitoes’ target.

About In2care Mosquito Trap

A new and innovative way of controlling both adult mosquitoes and their larvae. The trap attracts and reduces mosquitoes with green ingredients and utilises the concept of auto-dissemination method. Typically placed outdoors where there are high mosquito activities. This includes shady and vegetated conditions. The trap is maintained within one to 2 months depending on infestation level. In addition, it contains fungal spores that infect and grow inside the mosquitoes. It takes an average of three to six days for the mosquito to die from fungus infection. Depending on the temperature and amount of fungus spores transferred to the mosquito body, it may take up to fourteen days.

Firstly, it includes a slow-killing larvicide that contaminates the Aedes mosquitoes and in turn spread to other breeding sites that they land on Secondly, the active ingredient prevents the female mozzie from transmitting the dengue fever disease and prevents the larvae from developing into an adult mosquito. Thirdly, the larvicide works in low concentrations, hence weather conditions such as rain does not affect the trap efficacy. Finally, it works on the target species, which is the Aedes Mosquito and is not toxic to birds and mammals. Above all, the infected female mosquito spreads only a few micrograms of the larvicide to other breeding sites and water bodies, thus minimising affecting other aquatic species. Enquire about the In2care Mosquito Trap to get rid of mosquitoes for your home.

Call Rentokil Singapore at (65) 6347 8138 for mosquito controls services today.