2020 dengue outbreak in Singapore

2020 Dengue Outbreak in Singapore
Aedes aegypti, the primary vector of dengue
Disease	Dengue fever
Location	Singapore
Date	2020
Confirmed cases	35,315
Deaths	32

The 2020 dengue outbreak in Singapore was a significant public health event characterized by a record number of dengue fever cases. The outbreak was primarily driven by the increased prevalence of the DENV-3 serotype, which had not been dominant in Singapore for nearly three decades.

Background

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection caused by the dengue virus, which is transmitted by female mosquitoes mainly of the species Aedes aegypti and, to a lesser extent, Aedes albopictus. The disease is endemic in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including Southeast Asia.

In Singapore, dengue is a perennial public health concern due to its tropical climate and urban environment, which provide ideal breeding conditions for the Aedes mosquitoes. The country has experienced several dengue outbreaks in the past, with varying severity.

Epidemiology

The 2020 outbreak in Singapore was notable for the high number of cases and the shift in the dominant dengue virus serotype. By the end of the year, Singapore had reported 35,315 dengue cases, surpassing the previous record of 22,170 cases in 2013. The outbreak resulted in 32 deaths.

The predominant serotype during the 2020 outbreak was DENV-3, which had not been the dominant serotype in Singapore since the early 1990s. This shift in serotype contributed to the outbreak's severity, as the population had lower immunity to DENV-3 compared to other serotypes.

Contributing Factors

Several factors contributed to the severity of the 2020 dengue outbreak in Singapore:

• Weather Conditions: The year 2020 saw favorable weather conditions for mosquito breeding, with higher than average rainfall and temperatures.
• Urbanization: Singapore's dense urban environment provides numerous breeding sites for Aedes mosquitoes, such as construction sites and residential areas.
• Serotype Shift: The emergence of DENV-3 as the dominant serotype led to increased susceptibility in the population.
• COVID-19 Pandemic: The concurrent COVID-19 pandemic may have impacted vector control efforts and healthcare resources.

Public Health Response

The Singapore government and public health authorities implemented several measures to control the outbreak:

• Vector Control: Intensified efforts to eliminate mosquito breeding sites, including regular inspections and fogging operations.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Increased public education on dengue prevention, encouraging residents to remove stagnant water and protect themselves from mosquito bites.
• Healthcare System Preparedness: Ensuring healthcare facilities were equipped to handle the increased number of dengue cases.

Impact

The 2020 dengue outbreak had significant impacts on public health and the healthcare system in Singapore. The high number of cases strained healthcare resources, and the concurrent COVID-19 pandemic added additional challenges.

Also see

• Dengue fever
• Aedes aegypti
• Dengue virus serotypes
• Public health in Singapore
• COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore