Singapore is facing a concerning rise in dengue cases this year, with more than 10,000 cases reported so far, surpassing the total number recorded in 2023.
The threshold was crossed during the week of July 14 to July 20, when 236 cases were reported, according to the National Environment Agency (NEA).
As of Tuesday, July 22, the total number of dengue cases in 2024 stands at 10,141, compared to 9,949 cases for the whole of 2023. This marks a significant increase, especially considering the sharp drop from 32,173 cases in 2022.
NEA had issued a warning in March about a potential increase in dengue infections, with over 5,000 cases reported in the first quarter of 2024 alone, a notable rise from the same period in 2023.
The agency’s latest update highlights 70 active dengue clusters across Singapore, with ten classified as red-alert clusters, indicating high-risk areas with 10 or more cases each. Notably, the cluster in Jurong West (Avenue 1, Avenue 2, Street 42) has recorded 103 cases since its inception. Other significant clusters include Gangsa Road with 410 cases and Benoi Road with 47 cases.
Four dengue virus serotypes are currently circulating in Singapore. Dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2) has been the predominant strain since September 2023, following periodic dominance by DENV-1 and DENV-3 last year.
NEA cautioned, “Our population’s immunity to all four dengue virus serotypes remains low. The continued presence of all these dengue risk factors may lead to a surge in dengue cases in the coming months if insufficient action is taken.”
In addition to dengue, NEA reported nine isolated Zika cases in 2024, with no clusters identified so far. Like dengue, Zika is spread by the Aedes mosquito.
The NEA continues to urge residents to take proactive measures to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and protect themselves from mosquito bites to mitigate the spread of these viruses.