More than 5,400 people in Singapore have been infected by dengue so far this year, which is more than four times the figure in the same period last year. For every infected person who shows symptoms, there are up to 10 others who are infected but suffer a mild form of the illness, and do not go to a doctor.
Associate Professor Hsu Li Yang, Programme Leader (Infectious Diseases), said it is “clear that we are in the midst of a dengue epidemic”.
“June is also the ‘traditional’ start of the dengue season in Singapore, which explains the greater number of cases seen now and potentially over the next three to four months,” he added.
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(Header photo by Najeer Yusof/TODAY)