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