Singapore to fine mosquito breeders S$100 on first offence as dengue peaks
SINGAPORE: The number of dengue fever cases this year in Singapore has hit a record 10-year high and the National Environment Agency is taking no chances.
It's getting tougher with first-time offenders who breed mosquitoes by imposing an instant S$100 (around US$60) fine on them, from February next year.
Right now, first-time offenders get away with just a warning letter.
Dengue fever cases have been rising this year, not just in Singapore, but many parts of the region.
Stepped-up fumigation this year has not prevented a rise in the number of cases.
There have been 8,597 cases so far compared with just 4,788 last year.
The Bedok area in the eastern part of Singapore is currently the worst hit, with 57 residents in one street coming down with dengue fever.
Islandwide, there are at least 11 hot spots. These are Marsiling, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5, Hougang Avenue 6, Circuit Road, Dakota Crescent, Bedok North Avenue 2, Bedok North Avenue 1, Bedok Reservoir Road, Bedok South Avenue 2 and New Upper Changi Road, Chai Chee and Tampines Avenues 4 and 5.
A perennial problem remains the older housing estates such as those in the Ang Mo Kio area.
Condominiums are new problem areas.
Mosquito breeding was detected in 25 out of every thousand condominiums checked.
That was a jump from just 11 in every thousand condomimiums checked three years ago.
However, there's some comfort in the figures released.
There has been a fall in mosquito breeding at construction sites, from 13 percent in 1999 to just 9.5 percent so far this year.
The three top breeding places are the ornamental holders, empty pails and bamboo pole holders which collect rainwater, if not covered.
Singapore's environment agency says six out of 10 cases are the result of breeding in homes.
And it says the best way to prevent the problem is getting rid of stagnant water which can breed the Aedes mosquitoes.
So, it's going on a promotional blitz, spending US$18,600 or S$30,000 on educational materials for households.
The NEA's public education "Mozzie Attack" programme, which has already reached 45 constituencies, also goes islandwide by next June.
Reacting to the move to impose fines on first offence, a Singaporean said: "If the government wants us to take precautions, we can do so....rather than such fines."
"Not fair to give fines without warning first," said another.
But the NEA said that almost a thousand more warnings were issued this year compared to last year, after officers found breeding sites in homes.
So the NEA wants to get tough.
