SINGAPORE : The dengue outbreak is now on the decline, but
Environment Minister Yaacob Ibrahim says Singapore still cannot
relax.
Dr Yaacob announced on Friday new measures to further reduce
mosquito-breeding sites.
Out of sight out of mind - that's the danger with roof gutters,
making them ideal breeding sites for the Aedes mosquito.
Dalson Chung, Head of Operations of Environmental Health Department
at the National Environment Agency, said: "The pooling of the
water, stagnant water, is very large. It can have 200 to 300 larvae
per habitat as compared to the flower pot along the corridors which
we usually find about 10 to 20 larvae per flower pot plate."
So the NEA phasing them out.
Dr Yaacob said: "For new developments, no gutters will be allowed
except in special circumstances, on a case-by-case basis and for
existing gutter owners, NEA will continue to advise owners to
remove their guttering on a voluntary basis."
Property owners who want to retain their gutters will have to
ensure they are well-maintained.
But it is not just landed properties that have gutters.
Some bus shelters and walkways also have them, so the NEA is
working with the Housing and Development Board and the Land
Transport Authority to remove them.
A study will also be conducted to see if it is necessary to ban
air-conditioner trays.
Roof-tops are a known problem area, caused by poor
maintenance.
Dr Yaacob added: "Our town councils will have to step up
maintenance. Meanwhile, HDB and NEA will work with town councils to
rectify where necessary all the roof-top defects to eliminate water
stagnation."
All town councils must have dedicated pest control officers by the
end of this month to minimise the risk of dengue.
Next year, a penalty system will be introduced for town councils
that do not make the grade.
And ovitraps will be used to track mosquito breeding habits,
starting with a three-month trial in Marsiling beginning next
month. - CNA/de