YTD Cases Of Dengue In Singapore 2X Caseload For All Of 2012; 9,000+ Cases, Two Deaths

[hatrack]

Doctors in Singapore are being urged to be more vigilant after a huge rise in the number of people struck down by dengue fever this year. More than 9,000 people in the city state have fallen ill with the mosquito-borne disease since January and two have died. There have been more than twice as many cases in 2013 than during the whole of 2012.

The health ministry said it has alerted clinics in areas where dengue cases have spiked and has advised all medical practitioners about the early diagnosis and close monitoring of patients.

Dengue fever, spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, is common in Asia and Latin America. Symptoms include high fever, joint pains and nausea, but in severe cases it can lead to internal bleeding, liver enlargement, circulatory shutdown and death.

Part of the reason for this year’s increase is that the dengue virus seems to be showing more strength and resistance, Asok Kurup, a doctor at Mount Elizabeth Hospital’s infectious diseases care centre, said. Officials have urged Singaporeans to take precautions and clear stagnant water where mosquitoes breed, but some residents say the main responsibility lies with the healthcare system. “With so many cases occurring, shouldn’t the vigilance fall on our doctors instead?” said Audrey Quek, whose teenage son had dengue two years ago. She said the doctor initially mistook his fever and joint pains for flu symptoms.

EDIT

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/singapore-on-alert-after-dengue-fever-cases-rise-8654478.html

[Eleanors38]

1. One case reported in Florida Keys last year.