Singapore Sees Rise in Dengue Infections*

The Associated Press
Monday, May 21, 2007; 5:18 PM

SINGAPORE -- Singapore recorded a nearly 50 percent increase in dengue
infections in the first 4 1/2 months of this year compared to the same
period in 2006, authorities said Monday.

Dengue cases reported from the start of January to May 12 rose to 1,488
_ up from 993 in the corresponding period last year, the Health Ministry
said in an e-mailed response to questions.

Singapore had 180 new cases of dengue reported last week, the ministry
said. That figure is an all-time high, according to local TV news
station Channel NewsAsia.

The ministry said the spike is likely due to warmer weather during this
period of the year.

"Warmer weather facilitates an increase in mosquito activity ... and a
higher rate of multiplication of the dengue virus in infected
mosquitoes," the ministry said.

Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said the sharp rise could be caused by a
different strain of the virus spreading in the tropical city-state of
4.5 million, The Straits Times newspaper reported.

One man is believed to have died this year from dengue fever, the paper
said. But the Health Ministry said no dengue death cases had been
reported to authorities this year.

Health officials have been combing public housing estates in search of
mosquito breeding sites. Dengue-carrying insects can breed in tiny pools
of water found in flower pots, discarded bottles or cans, or old tires.

Like several other Southeast Asian countries, Singapore reported a
higher-than-usual number of dengue infections in 2005. The disease,
which causes joint pain, high fever, nausea and a rash, is endemic to
the region. In severe cases, it leads to internal bleeding and sometimes
death.

At least 19 out of Singapore's 4.2 million people died in 2005 from the
disease.