Dengue Epidemic and Style of Government

AndrewPKYap SG

The government prefers to ram policies down Singaporeans' throats without avenues for protests and we can see how that works well for them. They get to raise their million dollars salaries without any serious opposition.

Obviously many Singaporeans like it this way. It saves them the trouble from having to think through issues and simply leave it to the authorities. [Read More!]

fymk SG

Come on man....a bit of hiccup with the taxis - some people still want to complain to government. Hawker raise cost of his dishes - some people want to complain to government.

Even if a simple thing , like maybe people being inconsiderate ,happens- someone wants to complain to the government.

I keep laughing at Stomp when they publish sheepbrained complaints and then someone says let's complain to the govt.

walesa SG

With rogues in charge dictating every aspect of the masses' lives (from utilising retirement funds to procreation) at every turn possible, how could such brainwashed sheeps not turn to the masters when they haven't got an alternative avenue to turn to, given their socially, pre-conditioned mindsets?

To suggest an oppressed citizenry should not be reliant on this regime is no more realistic than suggesting a woman shouldn't be entitled to depend on her overbearing husband for emotional support unless it's offered by her husband.

fymk SG

The mosquitoes that spread dengue breed in stagnant water.......

think ..stagnant.

fymk SG

Anyways I had a look at the dengue data of Singapore (the published ones). You really cannot expect much from the Government now . They are already reacting to it - the wheels are in motion .

For those of you not familiar with study of diseases, the epidemiological triad comes into play - environment, host , agent.

The dengue (agent) epidemic is based on the Aedes Aegypti mosquito vector. Singapore's high density population and living conditions does not make it easier to control dengue. Dengue can also be imported easily, if you look at how busy Changi Airport,causeway and shipping ports. Environment, host and agents - Singapore has all the essential ingredients for a huge epidemic, not only Dengue (aka Flaviviruses) but also for influenza and SARS.

You can't shut down the airport,causeway or ports because it affects the economic structure of the country. You can't create a no entry zone around them because Singapore is too small and land is scarce. You can't fog the whole Singapore at all.

What they can only do is educate the public and hope it that the public listens- that is the cheapest form . The other alternative is to start active sentinel surveillance which is too expensive. Not sure if they use spatial syndromic surveillance. I know that research is going on in that aspect in USA and Australia - tag certain group of symptoms and track it all out.

So really , I think effectiveness is majorly based on the grassroots response - whether they want to listen or not . Threatening them with legal repercussions under the 1998 Control of Vectors and Pesticide Act doesn't help at all. The kiasee attitude will kick in as an advantage when everyone finally realises the impact. The case of SARs is one fine example.

Dengue and any communicable diseases can only be controlled effectively if all parties working together - not against each other ( or resentfully silent against the other). Now is not the time for complaining, it is more the time of working together. Complain later. Smile