Another 125 dengue cases have been reported in the last 24
hours.
This is the fifth consecutive day when the count has exceeded 100
cases a day.
The number of dengue cases admitted to public hospitals on Friday
rose to 85, up from 58 the day before.
To help track the infection, the National Environment Agency has
started collecting blood samples from Sims Avenue residents.
The exercise involves residents from 93 units in Blocks 830 and 832
in Sims Avenue.
The Environmental Health Institute had sent out letters to
residents asking them to volunteer 5 milliliters of blood sample,
and a swab of saliva for the study.
Over the weekend, officers from the Institute have been going
door-to-door to collect the samples from those who have
agreed.
To protect the confidentiality of the residents, the media was not
allow to film the process.
But many residents do not mind contributing to the study believed
to be the first to be done here.
"I found out that our block was a hot dengue spot so that's why we
should take dengue test," said one resident.
"Here many of us had this sickness so better to test. As long as we
clear the stagnant water. Four kids and our maid have given blood
and saliva samples," said a housewife.
Just last week alone, 20 people staying in the area were hit.
The samples will be analysed for antibodies against dengue
infection in the last 2 months.
The study was proposed by health officials who wanted to find out
how many people get dengue without showing any obvious symptoms
like high fever, body ache and rashes.
Overseas studies show that between 10 to 90 percent of people
infected with dengue may only have a mild fever instead of a
full-blown dengue fever.
Dr Leo Yee-Sin, Clinical Director, Communicable Disease Centre, Tan
Tock Seng Hospital, said: "We know that dengue virus has 4
different types, Type 1 to Type 4. And having infected with one and
having immunity against one does not protect against the other 3.
What we're hoping to do from the collection of saliva and blood
specimen is we hope to understand a little more the antibodies'
reaction to 4 different types."
With a clearer picture of the population's immunity against dengue,
health officials can then work on how to gear up the people's
defence against new strains of the infection. - CNA /ch
