Singapore's Dengue Fever cases return to epidemic levels*

SINGAPORE, July 3 (AFP) Jul 03, 2007

Dengue cases in affluent Singapore have reached "epidemic" levels for
the second time in the past month, health ministry data disclosed on
Tuesday said.

The Ministry of Health said 381 cases were reported between June 24 and
30, above the "epidemic threshold" of 378 cases per week.

Dengue cases crossed the threshold for the first time since 2005 earlier
in June, when 401 cases were reported in the week of June 10 to 16, the
ministry said.

Singapore experienced its worst dengue fever outbreak in 2005 when 19
people died from the disease and more than 13,000 were infected.

Three people have died from dengue and there have been 3,597 cases in
the first 26 weeks of this year, the ministry said.

"For planning purposes I just assume that we will get a repeat of 2005,
so we have to gear up for that," Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said on
local radio.

"If the weather continues this way, we can expect more such cases."

Singapore has launched a massive publicity campaign to educate residents
about dengue.

It has also stepped up efforts to eradicate mosquito breeding grounds in
the island-state, which has a reputation as one of the world's cleanest
cities.

Dengue is traditionally associated with poorer tropical countries. The
disease leads to a sudden onset of fever with severe headaches, muscle
and joint pains, and rashes.