HAEMORRHAGIC FEVER CASES IN SINGAPORE

Dr Chew Chin Han asked the Minister for Health (a) the number of cases of haemorrhagic fever in Singapore annually since 1962 and the mortality rate; and (b) whether any research on this disease has been carried out in Singapore particularly in the search for a better and more effective treatment, or has there merely been the exchange of views with African countries, Thailand and the Philippines.

Mr Yong Nyuk Lin: Sir, the number of known cases of haemorrhagic fever in Singapore since 1962 and its mortality rate are as follows : - Year Number Admitted Number Died 1962 185 2 1963 208 6 1964 375 7 1965 43 1 1966 659 24

It should be explained that haemorrhagic fever is not a notifiable disease, and the figures asked for by the Member for Tampines, going as far back as 1962, may not reflect the true situation according to the known available figures.

However, with effect from 18th October last year, doctors working in Government hospitals and outpatient dispensaries were instructed to notify such cases to the Ministry of Health and the relatively high figure for 1966 may be partly due to this directive.

In reply to the second part of his question, I am pleased to say that research on haemorrhagic fever has been going on since 1960 when it first appeared in Singapore. So far, 22 papers have been published in Singapore. A list* (* Appendix, cols. 243-6.) will be handed to the Speaker, and I have also handed a copy to the Member for Tampines. It covers the whole range of problems connected with the disease from basic research on the mosquito vector, the causative virus, and to the clinical features and treatment. Appendix to Oral Answer to Question No. 16, cols. 196-7 (Cols 0243-0246)

[Copy of the List handed in to the Clerk.]