DENGUE FEVER

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Harun A. Ghani asked the Minister for the Environment how was the situation of dengue fever in 1998; how effective was the Aedes mosquito campaign and whether it was better than 1997's and, if not, what measures are being taken by his Ministry.

The Minister for the Environment (Mr Yeo Cheow Tong): Sir, the number of dengue fever cases continued to rise to a record high of 5,258 in 1998. Almost all the cases were the milder dengue fever and not dengue haemorrhagic fever. There was also an increase in the Aedes mosquito house-index, which is a measure of the incidence of breedings detected in homes. The index rose from 1.03 in 1997 to 1.24 in 1998.

A survey conducted by my Ministry showed that our public education programme on dengue has succeeded in alerting the public but it has not changed their habits generally. Many know that the Aedes mosquito transmits dengue fever and the conditions under which the Aedes mosquito breeds. However, many admitted that they do not carry out checks routinely in their homes. And this is where the problem lies.

We will continue with the public education and strict enforcement actions. We will bring the campaign down to the Town Councils and work closely with them.