Update Nov. 20, 2013:  Dengue cases in Orchard Road is now nearly 100, an increase of 11 cases since the article was written three days ago. According to the Straits Times, the National Environment Agency was unable to reply by press time on what steps it has taken to try to stop the spread of dengue in the shopping belt. 

Orchard Road, a shopper's paradise, is no stranger to accolades.

In 2002, it was awarded the No. 1 shopping centre in the world by French marketing consultancy, Presence Mystery Shopping.

But number one in dengue cases?  It may well achieve this award soon.

There are 86 dengue cases in Orchard Road and its vicinity, making it the second-largest dengue cluster in Singapore (see the table of top 3 dengue clusters in Singapore below).

The Orchard Gateway construction site near 313@Somerset was the main source of the dengue outbreak, with 53 cases.

Currently, the largest cluster is in the Bedok area, which has 155 cases.

 Top 3 Dengue Clusters in Singapore

Source: National Environmental Agency

 Dengue Cases in Orchard Road

Orchard's dengue troubles first made the news on October 22, when it was declared a red zone with 18 cases (An area with more than 10 dengue cases is considered a red zone).

The situation continued to worsen, with dengue cases more than tripling to 64 within a fortnight on 2 Nov, making it the third-biggest cluster in Singapore.

According to a check by TODAY over the weekend, there were hardly any public education efforts in the area — in contrast to the extensive anti-dengue campaign in residential estates, which includes putting up banners or posters and distributing pamphlets.

There was also no information about dengue prevention on Orchard Road Facebook page, a platform managed by the Orchard Road Business Association (Orba).

Top photo from here. 

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