Every mom’s world revolves around her child and it’s only natural to be constantly concerned with their health and safety. However, we can’t deny the fact that our kids are constantly at risk of contracting a disease or an infection. Dengue is one of the deadly infection that can be acquired just by a sting by an Aedes aegypti mosquito! Though Singapore practices vector control measures, it’s important to understand that the integrated disease management strategy involving the dengue vaccine will optimize dengue prevention overall.#BeAWallAgainstDengue!
Viruses and Infectious diseases do not respect borders; with increased urbanisation and the mobility of populations both internationally and within local communities, Singapore has never been more vulnerable to the spread of fast growing vector-borne diseases, especially dengue.
Today, Singapore is already a regional leader in dengue prevention with one of the most comprehensive strategies in the world, which includes vector control and public education initiatives such as the nation-wide 5 Step Mozzie Wipeout. While the cumulative number of dengue cases since 1 Jan 2017 currently stands at 1,073, a 56% increase in Aedes mosquito population was recorded from October 2016 to March 2017, which could lead to a surge in dengue cases if the situation is left unchecked.
As we are fast approaching the peak season of dengue in the middle of the year, the government continues to urge citizens to stay vigilant and fight the silent war on all fronts as dengue is a disease that could strike anyone regardless of age, gender, underlying health conditions, occupation or socioeconomic status.
During an interview, Mr Johnson Chee, PE teacher at Guan Yang primary school, shared his experience on dengue, “I was infected with dengue when least expected and I was hospitalized for seven days due to low platelet count During that period, my 7-month pregnant wife had to take over parenting duties of my two children, both below the age of 5.
I would never want my children to go through the immense pain I experienced and it completely ruined my quality family time, just when the school holiday started. It was such a hard lesson learnt well and now I am extra vigilant in taking precautions to prevent dengue including spraying/ putting insect repellent patches on my kid’s clothes every time we go out.” Take control of your life and health now!
Here are few tips on how you can protect yourself and those around you from the tiny bad mosquito and the infection that it carries!
1. The 5-step Mozzie Wipeout The National Environment Agency (NEA) has been educating the community for a number of years about the 5 step Mozzie Wipeout to ensure we are not responsible for the breeding of Aedes aegypti mosquito. Click here to find out what are the steps to prevent dengue https://stopdenguenow.com/main/five_step_mozzie_wipeout.
2. Always keep an insect repellent handy The next time when you go to your neighbourhood playground with your kids or go outside near trees, remember to spray them with insect repellent or you can stick the mosquito repellent patch on their clothes to prevent mosquito bites.
3. Educate your kids on how to prevent dengue As an adult it is important for you to maintain good hygiene practices to keep dengue at bay but at the same time, it is essential as a parent to teach your kids the significance of dengue prevention and how it all starts at home.
4. Avoid highly populated dengue hot spot areas Avoid travelling to areas that have been classified as dengue hot spot by NEA. When taking the kids to the park or to the mall, choose areas that have minimal exposure to insects and avoid walking along the drains that potentially could store water allowing for mosquito breeding.
5. Do everything you can to prevent dengue Now you can further protect yourself against dengue. Talk to your doctor today.
Today is ASEAN Dengue Day and all of you are invited to do your part in this campaign by heading down to their local coffee store and simply follow, share or check-in with the SG Facebook page to be entitled to a free coffee or tea.
#BeAWallAgainstDengue
Dengue can be fatal, and I can understand how worried you must be for your kid. Great points. Take care.
Very good Dengue prevention drive. Awareness about it is really a must as we can’t tell when Dengue mosquitoes will attack in a country with no fix weather season.
Indeed Dengue is such a problem in tropical countries! Awareness about prevention is the only way to deal with it!
Dengue is a real issue. We all must contribute to banish it.