More than 222 new dengue cases were reported in Singapore in the week ending Aug 20, indicating the rise in the number of mosquito-borne virus cases in the nation.
According to the latest figures on the National Environment Agency's (NEA) dengue website, 210 and 198 cases were reported respectively in the previous two weeks. Apart from the new 222 cases, another 39 cases were reported between Aug 21 and 3pm on Aug 22.
Since the beginning of this year, a total of 10,769 dengue cases have been reported in Singapore. The reports show that the count crossed the 10,000 mark at the starting of August.
Seven people have already died of dengue fever this year, while five people died in 2015.
There are now 46 active dengue clusters in Singapore, out of which 11 clusters are classified as high risk. As many as 55 cases have been reported from the biggest cluster in the area around Tampines Ave 8, Tampines Street 81, Street 83 and Street 84.
NEA warned the public to be careful saying that the country is still in the traditional peak dengue season. Although the number of cases has been fluctuating for the past few weeks, the agency anticipates that the number might rise in the coming months.
According to the Ministry of Health (MOH) and NEA, the number of dengue cases in Singapore may exceed 30,000 this year, crossing the record of 22,170 reported in 2013.
