25-05-2025
Almost 2,000 dengue cases in Singapore so far in 2025, 74% drop from 2024
Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Janil Puthucheary at the launch of NEA's National Dengue Prevention Campaign 2025 on May 25. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
Almost 2,000 dengue cases in Singapore so far in 2025, 74% drop from 2024
SINGAPORE – The number of dengue cases for January to May 2025 has dropped about 74 per cent from the same period in 2024, with almost 2,000 cases recorded for the year to date, according to figures from the National Environment Agency (NEA).
This is also 'significantly lower' than the number of cases during the same period in 2023, when more than 3,000 cases were reported for the first half of the year. About 10,000 dengue cases were recorded in the first half of 2024.
There were two deaths due to local dengue infection recorded as of May 15, the NEA said in a statement on May 25.
Despite averting large outbreaks in 2023 and 2024, the agency warned that Singapore's low population immunity, as well as a global rise in dengue cases, could potentially lead to an increase in dengue cases.
Data from the World Health Organisation showed that more than 13 million dengue cases were reported globally in 2024 – more than double the 6.5 million recorded in 2023.
The NEA said 'strong and sustained community vigilance' against mosquito breeding, as well as innovations like Project Wolbachia – which aims to prevent the spread of dengue by controlling the mosquito population here – have helped to avert large outbreaks.
In 2023 and 2024, the surge in dengue cases was 'largely subdued' despite a high baseline of dengue cases, the agency said.
More than 13,600 dengue cases were reported in Singapore in 2024, while 9,949 cases were recorded in 2023.
Studies showed that the risk of contracting dengue was lowered by about 75 per cent at Aedes-Wolbachia release sites, and by about 45 per cent at adjacent areas.
By the end of 2026, Project Wolbachia will expand to cover 800,000 households, or about half of all households in Singapore.
NEA will also trial the use of Wolbachia-Aedes mosquitoes at dengue clusters to supplement other methods of controlling the growth of such clusters.
'The warmer months from May to October usually see higher dengue transmission in Singapore, due to accelerated development of the Aedes mosquito vector and faster multiplication of the dengue virus in mosquitoes,' NEA said in a statement.
It reminded people to take actions such as overturning pails and changing water in vases to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes.
People – especially those who live in dengue cluster areas or are diagnosed with or suspected to have dengue or Zika – should take actions such as spraying insecticide in dark corners around the house and regularly applying insect repellent to avoid mosquito bites.
On May 25, NEA also launched the National Dengue Prevention Campaign 2025, as the country enters peak dengue season.
At the launch of the campaign, which was held at the Pasir Ris Sports Centre, Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Janil Puthucheary warned that Aedes mosquitoes, which spread dengue, can also transmit other diseases.
'The mosquito also carries the Zika virus, and we want to take the opportunity to remind people, even though it is the National Dengue Prevention Campaign, (that) it's about a variety of other diseases as well,' he said, noting Zika can cause 'disproportionate damage' to pregnant women.
He urged Singaporeans to do their part to prevent the Aedes mosquito from breeding.
Also at the event was Senior Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Desmond Tan, who is an MP for Pasir Ris-Changi GRC.
While rare, Zika infection in pregnant women can cause birth defects such as microcephaly – a disorder in which a child is born with an abnormally small head and brain.
A total of 13 Zika cases were reported in the Republic in 2024.
Zhaki Abdullah is a correspondent at The Straits Times. He is on the health beat, in addition to occasionally covering science, environmental, tech and Muslim affairs issues.
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