REACH 119 - Increase in dengue fever (SK)

5 Aug 2020 (1pm - 7pm)

REACH

[5:09 pm, 05/08/2020] +: Dear contributors,

Welcome back! 😊

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REACH

[5:09 pm, 05/08/2020] +: Dengue cases down 20% last week but NEA stresses vigilance, launches 2-week exercise to curb spread

Dengue cases fell by more than 20 per cent last week, but weekly numbers remain high and more than 600,000 households across Singapore continue to be located in over 390 dengue clusters islandwide, the National Environment Agency (NEA) warned on Wednesday (Aug 5).

This "intensive two-week islandwide exercise" will require all residents' cooperation, the agency said, calling on those in hot spots in particular to perform three protective actions.

These are: Spray insecticide in dark corners around the house, apply insect repellent regularly, and wear long sleeves and long pants.

Residents should also cooperate with NEA officers doing their inspection rounds.

More: https://str.sg/Jn2t

[6:21 pm, 05/08/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

(1) Thought Singapore conducted the Wolbachia male mosquito project - and the outcome has been successful in controlling the breeding of female mosquito - as the female mosquito lay eggs that cannot hatch when mate with this Wolbachia male mosquito.

(2) Wonder why the Government not consider rolling out Islandwide - to wipe out the breeding of Aedes mosquito?

(3) These will have stop the dengue fever infection - as mosquito cannot breed.

Rama

[6:27 pm, 05/08/2020] +: I believe roll out needs to be expedited if possible

XaniceAfcai

[8:45 pm, 05/08/2020] +: Maybe not enu make mosquito to test.

Anne

[6:29 pm, 05/08/2020] +: For now it’s successful, but for the longer term there may be unintended consequences. This kind of intervention to nature, it’s best to keep it minimal, use only as needed. 

Brazil unleashed GMO mosquitoes (different tech from ours), now they have a new breed of mutant mosquitoes that are more resistant to insect repellents.

CQ

[6:31 pm, 05/08/2020] +: 👍🏻 Perfect explanation!

Rama

[6:38 pm, 05/08/2020] +: Hugh!?

[6:36 pm, 05/08/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Project Wolbachia: Louis Ng says residents asking why release mosquitos that will bite them

Wan Ting KohYahoo News SingaporeMarch 4, 2020

Remove streaming in secondary schools to reduce social stratification: Louis Ng

Yahoo News Singapore file photo

More

SINGAPORE — Member of Parliament Louis Ng on Wednesday (4 March) shared concerns from residents of his Nee Soon Group Representation Constituency (GRC) regarding a pilot project to curb the population of dengue-producing mosquito.

The MP asked Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) Masagos Zulkifli during the ministry’s Committee of Supply debate for an update on Project Wolbachia, where male mosquitoes carrying the Wolbachia bacterium mate with females, causing them to lay eggs that do not hatch.

While the National Environment Agency (NEA) has been studying the programme since 2012, it first released the male mosquitos in trial areas in 2016.

The programme has since achieved 90 per cent suppression of the Aedes aegypti mosquito population within the Yishun and Tampines test sites. Masagos said that MEWR is considering expanding the project to more neighbourhoods in consultation with a dengue expert advisory panel.

Ng noted that the project has led to a 90 per cent drop in the mosquito populations in Nee Soon East. However, he asked how the ministry would be increasing awareness of the project, stating that residents had been asking him questions on it.

“Many asked me why we are releasing mosquitoes that will bite them. I tell them we're only releasing male mosquitoes and males don't bite,” he said.

“The next concern is that they tell me the males will attract the females who will then bite them. I tell them don't worry, it’s the males who look for the females.”

In response, Masagos said, “I hope to reassure residents that these male mosquitoes do not bite or transmit diseases, I say this in Parliament and ask residents to be patient and bear with the initial surge (of male mosquitos).”

Spike in dengue cases this year

Other MPs noted the spike of dengue cases this year as well as warmer weathers and rain, which would provide more breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Dr Chia Shi-Lu noted that last week the NEA reported 110 dengue clusters, of which 25 are on red alert level, while Sylvia Lim stated that dengue cases at the beginning of this year have spiked against the same period last year, with several live clusters in Aljunied GRC.

Liang Eng Hwa also asked how the impact of climate change, such as warmer weather, would affect the management of dengue cases.

“Having been a dengue patient before myself last year I know how it is like to live through the illness,” he said. “We should spare no effort to minimise the cases of dengue in Singapore, not any less than how we manage COVID-19, and continue to seek new strategies to fight this virus.”

In response, Masagos said that Singapore has set up high-tech mosquito farms which optimise mosquito production, sort male mosquitoes from female, and transport male mosquitoes for release.

“We are scaling up the facilities production to 5 million male mosquitoes a week, over the next few years, to battle dengue,” he said. “This is a new and important means to future-proof ourselves against the faster breeding of mosquitoes as a result of higher temperatures brought by climate change.”

Project Wolbachia expansion on the cards?

During clarification, Lim asked why Project Wolbachia, having gone through a few phases, had not been deployed in dengue clusters. She also asked if the project will be deployed in these clusters.

In reply, Masagos said that despite the effectiveness of the project, the complaints and the disamenities that residents suffer from a sudden surge of mosquitoes have not abated.

“We are extremely careful in deploying this technology. Because while we are introducing something that is natural – Wolbachia is naturally occurring in mosquitoes – we are doing it artificially, and injecting huge numbers into the community,” he explained.

“So apart from the effectiveness of the technology, we also are mindful...of the disamenities that residents may suffer from suddenly having millions and millions of mosquitoes in the neighbourhood.”

The minister said that residents still complained to him about the large amount of mosquitoes despite knowing that they were Wolbachia mosquitoes.

“I think we need time to make sure that as we expand the areas where we deploy Wolbachia here, that the people are also used to this.”

Nevertheless, he added that he hopes to introduce fewer male mosquitoes over time, as the dengue mosquito population was suppressed.

[6:59 pm, 05/08/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

There are also dengue fever vaccine that have come out commercially 2019.  Not sure is it safe and appropriate for Singapore to adopt or not.     

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dengue_vaccine

[7:01 pm, 05/08/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

WHO recoomendation on dengue vaccine              https://www.who.int/immunization/research/development/dengue_vaccines/en/

[7:08 pm, 05/08/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-07-team-safe-method-dengue-vaccination.html    

Singapore researchers and MIT SMART program to safe dengue vaccine

[7:11 pm, 05/08/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/dengvaxia-dengue-vaccine-singapore-advisory-9472910

Singapore issues advisory on Dengvaxia dengue vaccine

[7:19 pm, 05/08/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Unleashing the Wolbachia male mosquito seems to be a better and safer bet in eradicating dengue fever as comparing to another vaccine jab that have side effect.

Caleb

[7:20 pm, 05/08/2020] +: I don't understand why no Need SafeEntry at hawkers centers and coffeeshop. Where the virus will spread most where ppl eat and talk. @+

[7:31 pm, 05/08/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Thought all food court, coffeshop and eatery have SafeEntry to scan in and out?   Have not met one without SafeEntry. The question is, whether people scan on it or not. I normally do.

Caleb

[7:35 pm, 05/08/2020] +: No one enforce

[7:35 pm, 05/08/2020] +: Maybe those who pay by cash then stall owners much check

[7:35 pm, 05/08/2020] +: Those pay be cashless, no need to keep checking.

[7:36 pm, 05/08/2020] +: Encourage ppl to use cashless too. 🙊

--

Stella

[8:55 pm, 05/08/2020] +: When I was young I used to hear frogs/toads in the nights, and there were no mosquito issues even though there were plenty of  long grass and possible breeding grounds around the neighbourhood. Maybe if the toads/frogs come back, there will be lesser mosquito issues. Mother nature has a sure way to keep things balanced.

Caleb

[8:59 pm, 05/08/2020] +: Where has all the frogs and toads went?

[9:00 pm, 05/08/2020] +: Forging don't kill them right

CQ

[9:00 pm, 05/08/2020] +: no more ponds?

Stella

[9:01 pm, 05/08/2020] +: I wonder too

XaniceAfcai

[9:12 pm, 05/08/2020] +: When I tried to scan their slant QR code One of the shop staff said no need.

XaniceAfcai

[9:12 pm, 05/08/2020] +: Drains

XaniceAfcai

[9:13 pm, 05/08/2020] +: Have the QR code but no one scan at kopishop

XaniceAfcai

[9:14 pm, 05/08/2020] +: Outside mean? Some ppls munching at bus stop

Stella

[9:16 pm, 05/08/2020] +: I hope government will do a "frog/toad" test in one of the high dengue area. I would rather hear the frogs/toads than be bitten by mosquitoes.

XaniceAfcai

[9:17 pm, 05/08/2020] +: Is toad poison?

[9:18 pm, 05/08/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Malaysia have a lot of ponds with frogs and toads.

But they also have very high dengue fever cases.

Stella

[9:18 pm, 05/08/2020] +: Then toad is out. Just frogs then.

Zie Chon

[9:19 pm, 05/08/2020] +: I think fish and dragonflies eat more mosquitoes, larvae and adult respectively

[9:19 pm, 05/08/2020] +: Not sure if tadpoles feed on mosquito larvae

[9:20 pm, 05/08/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

In army operation areas, there are many ponds with frogs and toads.

But there are also alot of commandos trained aedes mosquito that can pierce through thick number 4.

Stella

[9:22 pm, 05/08/2020] +: Used to. Now also much lesser. I don't remember hearing them in recent years travel. Used to hear them lots in Malaysia when I was younger.

[9:22 pm, 05/08/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Sometimes we can see thick foliage with big leaves that can trap water and mosquito lay eggs in it.

Frog, toad, dragon flies, fish cannot reach such foliage and many aedes mosquito breed.

Stella

[9:22 pm, 05/08/2020] +: Maybe frog leg congee too tasty

Bobby Tan

[9:23 pm, 05/08/2020] +: Only certain type

Alvin

[9:24 pm, 05/08/2020] +: Everywhere! Void decks, while walking, at foodcourt, cafes etc some already finish their food but still masks down and chat with friends

XaniceAfcai

[9:25 pm, 05/08/2020] +: They alr declare phrase 3..

Zie Chon

[9:30 pm, 05/08/2020] +: I think frog populations declining in many parts of the world. There is a world frog day to campaign to save them 😁 not sure about SG.

Stella

[9:31 pm, 05/08/2020] +: Good to know 👍

Zie Chon

[9:31 pm, 05/08/2020] +: Issit hahaha

[9:32 pm, 05/08/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Depending on natural predators to prey on aedes mosquito to control the breeding in Singapore context is not workable.

Dengue fever is a problem worldwide even in many developing countries.

Natural predators can't solve the problems - in fact WHO is closely monitoring the dengue infection.

Vaccines has been developed but not fully effective and with side effects.

Singapore on the other hand seems to reap good outcome from the wolbachia male mosquito project.

We should rollout this solution with the least negative impact.

Stella

[9:34 pm, 05/08/2020] +: What are the possible negative impacts?

Zie Chon

[9:34 pm, 05/08/2020] +: Dragonflies nothing left to eat

[9:37 pm, 05/08/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Dengue is classified as a global epidemic.

Zie Chon

[9:37 pm, 05/08/2020] +: I think no negative impacts

[9:40 pm, 05/08/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Negative impact - million of male mosquito appearing.

[9:41 pm, 05/08/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

But the outcome is effective as it reduces the aedes mosquito population by 90%.

[9:45 pm, 05/08/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

So unless toads, frogs, fish, dragonflies patrol our void deck, construction areas, our flower pots to eat the larva, pupa and female mosquito - wolbachia male mosquito is our most appropriate candidate to nip the problem at the bud - to prevent eggs from hatching and stop procreation of aedes mosquito.

Caleb

[9:51 pm, 05/08/2020] +: Means it's not sustainable?

[9:51 pm, 05/08/2020] +: We have to keep releasing this mosquito every month

[9:51 pm, 05/08/2020] +: To the whole Singapore

[9:52 pm, 05/08/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Singapore only select a few areas to test.

[9:52 pm, 05/08/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

When finish test, other areas fly in.

Zie Chon

[9:53 pm, 05/08/2020] +: By right with time, there will be fewer and fewer reproductive mosquitos.

[9:53 pm, 05/08/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Yes

Zie Chon

[9:54 pm, 05/08/2020] +: The efforts will wind down when dengue cases reduce to low numbers... And restart efforts if figures spike again...

[9:55 pm, 05/08/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Yes.

Just like cockroaches if eradicate from one area, doesn't mean it is pest free.

One day, cockroach from another area will crawl in and reproduce again.

Zie Chon

[9:55 pm, 05/08/2020] +: Guess that's the approach  most infectious disease

REACH

[9:57 pm, 05/08/2020] +: 🤢

[9:58 pm, 05/08/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Covid SARS mers flu all behave this way.

Zie Chon

[9:59 pm, 05/08/2020] +: The dilemma is all these companies rely on pests to come back to stay in business. So they wouldn't want a market a 100% effective method I guess.

REACH

[9:59 pm, 05/08/2020] +: Dear Contributors,

We will be closing the chat for today.

Thank you very much for being part of our WhatsApp chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan

Zie Chon

[9:59 pm, 05/08/2020] +: So just produce something mild enough that the pests will build resistance to

[9:59 pm, 05/08/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Govt don't think this way.

Zie Chon

[9:59 pm, 05/08/2020] +: Gdnite

[10:00 pm, 05/08/2020] +: Govt rely on commercial products loh