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Death Is in the Air: It Wants Your Blood
Serangoon residents worry as more and more fall victim to dengue fever.
By Joey Ong and Genevieve Sia
Wriggling mosquito larvae developing in a container of stagnant water. Photo: Joey Ong
Mr Abdul Rahman Bin Madon’s alarmingly high fever and lack of energy caused nothing but worry to his family. Any food he ate he threw back up immediately, and he was in a permanent state of grogginess and lethargy. Soon, he was rushed to the hospital, having endured enough suffering.
Mr Rahman is only one of the rising number of people falling victim to dengue fever.
“This year's dengue season is quite bad,” says Dr Quek Shuyi, who works at Tan Tock Seng Hospital. “On top of the COVID-19 situation, it’s not ideal.”
Some changes in weather are making it easier for mosquitoes to breed, plus, more people [are] working from home
- Dr Quek
According to the National Environment Agency’s (NEA) website, as of Aug 18 in 2020, the Serangoon North dengue red cluster sported 234 dengue cases since the creation of the cluster. In addition, the Straits Times says that dengue cases this year are more than double compared to the dengue cases during the same time last year.
The ever-increasing number of dengue victims has residents of dengue red alert clusters like Serangoon feeling apprehensive.
“Now COVID-19 is serious, but it doesn't mean we should overlook dengue,” says Mr Tan Siang How, a resident from one of Serangoon’s many red zones. “These few weeks I've heard of quite a few neighbours getting dengue.”
“There’s a change in the dominant dengue serotype, so fewer people are immune to the current strain,” says Dr Quek. The National University of Singapore Medical School recently published a paper on how the new strain of dengue (DENV3), hides itself from vaccines and medicines. Thus, more people are susceptible to DENV3 compared to the previous dominant strain of dengue (DENV2).
“Some changes in weather are making it easier for mosquitoes to breed, plus, more people [are] working from home,” says Dr Quek. This work-from-home culture is of course the protective measure against the COVID-19 outbreak in Singapore.
These reasons compounded together are why the dengue outbreak numbers are on the incline.
“I think [NEA] can do better,” says Mr Tan. “They should do fogging more frequently. Now they come about once a month, maybe they can come twice a month since [Serangoon North] is a hotspot.”
Having experienced it myself, I wouldn't want my family members to go through it too. I know that my family is doing their part. I don't know if I can say the same for others
- Mr Rahman
Ms Au-Yeong Yin Ching, a Serangoon resident who recently recovered from dengue fever, says, “In the past, the NEA has done a great job in containing Dengue’s spread, but more can always be done.”
“Singaporeans may have a more dismissive attitude towards contracting Dengue currently,” she says. “NEA could do more to educate students about preventive measures since ingraining good practices in our youths is always easier than changing the habits of an adult. Moreover, I hope to see the geographical area covered by the NEA’s chemical treatment efforts being increased.”
In 2013, NEA launched the ‘Do the Mozzie Wipeout’ campaign, which increased dengue and mosquito breeding habit awareness. The campaign called for community action on eliminating potential mosquito breeding grounds.
The NEA encouraged Singaporeans to take preventive measures like removing stagnant water in pails, flower pots and drains. This stops mosquitoes from laying their eggs in the stagnant water pools, and kills any mosquito larvae that may potentially be living in the water. The spread of dengue fever will be curbed alongside the mosquito population.
“The community needs to make sure they are doing their part,” says Mr Tan. “If they unknowingly breed mosquitoes, those living around them suffer as well.”
Mr Rahman says, “I think dengue just spreads because people unknowingly breed [mosquitoes] due to lack of checking around their own homes.”
Mr Rahman recovered after a week in the hospital. Since then, he has made sure he takes the necessary preventive measures against mosquito breeding.
“Having experienced it myself, I wouldn't want my family members to go through it too. I know that my family is doing their part. I don't know if I can say the same for others,” says Mr Rahman.
21 August 2020
About the Authors
Joey Ong
Joey is an easy-going person with a penchant for goofy humour. He’s always ready to help out a friend, and never hesitates to compliment someone when he sees the opportunity to.
Genevieve Sia
Genevieve is a bubbly and outgoing individual who always recharges the team with her humorous antics after a long discussion.
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