DENGUE HAEMORRHAGIC FEVER (Incidence in Outram Road General Hospital)

Dr Tan Eng Liang asked the Minister for Health and Home Affairs if he is aware that in the present Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF) outbreak (i) many children had been warded with DHF in the Outram Road General Hospital; (ii) Aedes vector mosquitoes were detected in the Hospital itself; and (iii) at least two doctors who attended to those patients have themselves come down with DHF; and what action the Medical Superintendent of the Hospital has taken to prevent the disease spreading from that focal point.

Mr Chua Sian Chin: Mr Speaker, Sir, in answer to sub-question (i), the number of children warded in the Outram Road General Hospital reported to have Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever for the period April to July 1973 was 103.

In answer to sub-question (ii), cases of mosquito nuisance have been reported within the large expanse of hospital grounds from time to time. However, previous surveys have shown that mosquito breeding did not necessarily occur within the Outram Road General Hospital grounds but occurred also in building sites adjacent to the Hospital.

Towards the end of April 1973, the Commissioner of Public Health was requested to do a survey of possible mosquito breeding within the Outram Road General Hospital grounds. On 7th May, 1973, he reported a hole between Ward 8 and the Radiography building, which has since been sealed with cement. Another report revealed breeding in a discarded plastic basin in an open space at the rear of residential quarters, Houses Nos. 416-21 New Bridge Road. A second report on 31st May, 1973, revealed breeding in Nos. 55A and 55C Sepoy Lane. These were occupied by private tenants on a temporary occupation licence, and the Commissioner of Public Health was requested to deal directly with these persons. Mosquito breeding was also found in a drain at a slope from Sepoy Flats towards Silat School and in a concrete drain at the servants' quarters behind Brebner House nurses' quarters. The Public Works Department had previously been requested to repair this faulty drain. Follow-up action was then taken immediately.

A fourth report received indicated that there was some mosquito breeding near the reservoir in College Road. The University of Singapore was informed as this parcel of land was under their control. The Hospital authorities have been active in adopting anti-mosquito measures inside and outside the compounds of the Hospital.

In answer to sub-question (iii), it was possible that the two doctors mentioned were infected by the disease-carrying mosquitoes while at work in the hospital. It was also possible that they could have been so infected elsewhere. Although one of them was living in the Housemen's Quarters within the Hospital grounds, the other was living in his own home in Katong. But the Hospital authorities have been maintaining strict vigilance against mosquito breeding. But whatever effective anti-mosquito breeding measures are taken within the compounds of the Hospital, mosquitoes could still come from outside.