Dengue cases fall by 30% in first five months of 2012

SINGAPORE: The number of reported dengue cases in Singapore has fallen by 30 per cent in the five—month period from April to August, compared to the same period last year.

These findings were released by the National Environment Agency.

In the past five months, an average of 100 dengue cases were reported per week.

The incidence of dengue peaked in June at around 150 cases per week.

Despite the drop in dengue cases so far, the Communicable Disease Centre has warned Singaporeans to brace themselves for a possible surge in the coming months.

Dengue cases are most commonly reported between the months of May and October due to the humid weather which encourages mosquitoes to breed.

Associate Professor Leo Yee Sin, Director of Communicable Disease Centre, said: "We see a big number of dengue cases every five to six years. Our last big peak was in the year 2004—2005. So we anticipate a big wave coming in recent years. However, we have not been experiencing that. I think that is a good thing, because I think that reflects the activities that reduce mosquito—breeding sites."

— CNA/fa