Dengue Prevention What you need to know‌
What is dengue fever? Dengue fever is a virus infection caused by the dengue virus. There are 4 kinds of dengue viruses.
Close-up of an Aedes mosquito
Aedes mosquito
Aedes Aegypti
Aedes Albopictus
Symptoms of Dengue Fever
Example of a skin rash due to dengue fever
Do you know… •Dengue fever and dengue haemorrhagic fever are the most common mosquito-borne viral disease in the world. •Only the female mosquito feeds on blood. This is because they need the protein found in blood to produce eggs. Male mosquitoes feed only on plant nectar. •The mosquito is attracted by the body odours, carbon dioxide and heat emitted from the animal or humans. •The female Aedes mosquito searches for suitable places to lay their eggs. •Aedes are day-biters, most active during dawn and dusk.
Life cycle of the Aedes mosquito
1-2 days
Larvae
Pupae
4-5 days
Eggs
2-3 days
Stagnant water
How Do Aedes mosquitoes Transmit Diseases... Mozzie bites an infected person
Healthy person comes down with dengue fever
Infected mozzie bites a healthy person
This is what you can do to help‌
Prevent Mosquitoes from Breeding! Remove ALL sources of stagnant water. Deny the Aedes mosquito of any chance to breed.
Potential Breeding Grounds
Common Mosquito Breeding Grounds Artificial containers (man-made) 1. Flower vases and pot plates
Natural containers
2. Pails, water-storage jars, basins
1. Tree Holes, bamboo stumps
3. Discarded receptacles
2. Leaf axils, fallen leaves
4. Choked roof gutters
3. Ground Depressions
5. Gully Traps 6. Unused toilet bowls and cisterns 7. Aircon Tray and dish rack tray 8. Concrete drains
All these sites require constant inspection !!
Potential Breeding Grounds
Flower Pots
Flower Pot Plates
Potential Breeding Grounds
Overflow cistern of the WC
Gully Trap
Potential Breeding Grounds
Collar of the toilet bowl
Potential Breeding Grounds
Hardened soil of potted plants
Tree holes
Potential Breeding Grounds
Plant axils
Potential Breeding Grounds
Scupper drains
Bamboo pole holders
Potential Breeding Grounds
Road side drain
Barbeque pit
Potential Breeding Grounds
Canvas sheets
Potential Breeding Grounds
Discarded receptacles
Potential Breeding Grounds
Air-con tray
Potential Breeding Grounds
Roof gutters
Litter Bins
The 10-Minute Mozzie Wipe-Out Exercise
1.
5 Easy Steps •Change water in vases/ bowls every other day. •Add sand granular insecticide* to water. *You can view the list of retailers carrying sand granular insecticide at the following webpage: http://www.nea.gov.sg/aedes/insecticides
2.
5 Easy Steps •Remove water from flower pot plates every other day.
3.
5 Easy Steps •Turn over all storage containers
4.
5 Easy Steps •Inform your parents or any adults in your household to cover bamboo pole holders when not in use.
5.
5 Easy Steps •Clear blockages and put Bti insecticide in roof gutters at least once a month
What Else Can You Do‌ Check your landscape structures for any water retention & mosquito breeding regularly. Remove these structures if possible. Add in prescribed amounts of sand granular insecticides to stagnant water.
Use of the Anti-mosquito valve
If you are going on holiday or vacating your home‌
If going on holiday..
•Seal off all floor and gully traps
•Cover all toilet bowls
If going on holiday.. Leave your contact number with your neighbor so that the NEA can contact you should there be a need to inspect your premises urgently.
Spread the dengue prevention message to others‌ Let your family, friends and neighbours know about the dangers of breeding mosquitoes
How to Prevent Mosquitoes Bites Wear shoes, socks, long pants and long-sleeved shirt Use mosquito repellents Mosquito coils Mosquito nets
For more information, you can visit the website at www.dengue.gov.sg