New initiatives in dengue control in Singapore

Abstract

The incidence of dengue in Singapore follows the trend countries in the region very closely. However, effort are being made to minimized the number of cases in the country. This is being achieved by the introduction of new tools such as the geographical information system (GIS) for the management of database and spatial identification of "hotspots" and the use of hand-held terminals (HHT) for the collection of field surveillance data. New initiatives include regular mosquito surveillance of housing states and crowded places, redisigning of structural habitats, incorporation of heating elements in roof gutters and trackign behavioural changes.