Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease that is widespread in Singapore and other tropical countries. It is caused by the dengue virus and is transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito.
Dengue fever symptoms include a fever, intense headache, body aches, joint pains, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and skin rashes and mucosal bleeding. There is no specific treatment for dengue fever, but adequate fluid intake and bed rest is important. Most patients recover within two weeks.
However, dengue fever can turn severe, leading to dengue haemorrhagic syndrome and dengue shock syndrome.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) 2009 case classification, dengue is classified into dengue without warning signs, dengue with warning signs and severe dengue. It is important to recognise the warning signs such as abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, mucosal bleeding, lethargy and fluid accumulation as it may progress to severe dengue. Even dengue patients without warning signs can develop severe dengue. Dengue fever with warning signs and severe dengue require aggressive emergency treatment and hospitalisation.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) is spearheading the fight against dengue fever in Singapore by raising public awareness about mosquito breeding and destroying existing breeding sites.
“As an individual, you can play your part in the fight against dengue fever by protecting yourself and your home environment from the Aedes mosquito,” says Dr Chua Ying Ying, Associate Consultant, Department of Infectious Diseases, Singapore General Hospital (SGH), a member of the SingHealth group.