Latest news with #JanilPuthucheary
New Paper
26-05-2025
- Health
- New Paper
Almost 2,000 dengue cases in Singapore so far in 2025, 74% drop from 2024
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 at 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 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 Wolbachia-Aedes 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 that 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.
Straits Times
25-05-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
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. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Online Citizen
01-05-2025
- General
- Online Citizen
Punggol resident urges town council to address pigeon infestation, cites years of inaction
SINGAPORE: A Punggol resident has turned to TikTok, urging the town council to address a longstanding pigeon infestation in the area while raising concerns about public hygiene and potential health risks. The area is under the ward of Senior Minister of State Janil Puthucheary, who is also the People's Action Party (PAP) candidate for Punggol GRC in the upcoming 2025 General Election. 'Dear Pasir Ris-Punggol town council. can you start taking action?' the TikTok user asked in the video. 'We have been calling the town council to complain, but no action has been taken to date.' The resident cited a notice dated 30 December 2024, in which the Pasir Ris–Punggol Town Council acknowledged receiving feedback from residents about pigeons roosting and defecating on air-conditioner ledges. The council stated that this has raised health concerns, including the potential spread of influenza strains, and has made it difficult for residents to clean the soiled areas. 'To address this, the town council is exploring the installation of bird netting to cover the external air-conditioner ledges up to the roof level,' the notice read. However, it also stated that the plan could only proceed with 75% consensus from flat owners and would require approval from the relevant authorities. The council promised that survey results would be posted on the block's noticeboard within two weeks after the closing date. But the resident claimed that no such results were ever displayed. 'The notice said the results will be posted within two weeks—but we didn't see any,' the user said, adding that pigeons have even laid two eggs outside their unit. 'What's the plan for Waterway Terraces?' they asked. The user said they have been dealing with the issue for years, citing pigeons roosting around the flats and droppings clearly visible in common areas. The persistent smell has made it difficult to open their windows, and many residents have raised concerns about the impact on their health and air-conditioning ventilation. They also noted the difficulty of cleaning the soiled areas and expressed worry about the potential spread of influenza. 'Dear neighbours, are you facing the same issue too?' The user ended their message by urging the authorities to 'kindly take immediate action to address this serious and potentially hazardous health issue.' Residents Share Complaints of Unaddressed Hazards and Slow Action The TikTok post has sparked a wave of comments from other residents living in areas under Janil's purview, with many echoing similar concerns about estate maintenance and the pigeon problem. One commenter noted that their area also falls under Janil, saying they had submitted feedback through a service app three times over the span of a year about a large hole in the footpath. They described it as very dangerous, especially for senior citizens walking at night, and claimed that both HDB and the town council were 'just playing tai chi' instead of taking action. Another resident shared a similar experience, stating that they had reported the pigeon problem two years ago and had been following up regularly, but there were still no updates. 'We constantly have to check ourselves,' they said. Some users expressed disbelief at the lack of regular cleaning. One commented, 'OMG!!! Don't they do weekly washing? My estate does.' In response, the original poster replied that in their block, cleaning happens 'maybe once a year.' Residents Question MP's Visibility and Town Council's Performance Several commenters questioned Janil's visibility and effectiveness as an MP. One user remarked, 'Janil needs to go. Five years in Punggol and I've never seen him—only shows up during festive events.' Others were critical of the town council's performance, with one person calling it 'the worst,' citing slow action. Another noted that even though the town council office was located just downstairs from their block, it had made no difference in the quality of service. 'Disappointed, honestly. Maybe it's really time for a change,' they said. In a recent Facebook post, PAP candidate for Punggol GRC Gan Kim Yong pledged to address long-standing concerns about cleanliness and estate maintenance in Punggol Northshore if elected. He committed to setting up a new Punggol Town Council, with Sun Xueling as its Chairperson, to deliver more effective municipal services for residents.
