Households found with multiple mosquito breeding habitats during inspections will face stricter penalties come mid-July this year.

This was announced by the National Environment Agency (NEA) in response to the sharp rise in dengue cases recently.

As of June 22, there have been 12,542 reported dengue cases since the start of the year, with weekly dengue cases exceeding 1,000 as of June 13, making this the largest outbreak in the history of Singapore.

NEA revealed that there has been a five-fold increase in the incidence of Aedes mosquito larvae detected in homes and corridors during the circuit breaker.

Penalties raised

Currently, households are issued composition sums of S$200 if mosquito breeding is detected at their homes. This is regardless of the number of breeding habitats found.

Offenders will then be sent to court for the fourth offence.

However, from July 15 onwards, these penalties will be raised.

If a single mosquito breeding is detected, first-time offenders will be fined S$200, and S$300 if multiple mosquito breeding habitats are detected within the same inspection.

Penalties will increase for subsequent offences, capped at S$5,000 for third and subsequent offences.

These offenders may also face imprisonment for up to three months, or both a fine and imprisonment.

Composition sums will also be raised for mosquito breeding at construction sites.

The penalties are as follows:

Continuing surveillance and inspections

Enforcement for Town Councils for mosquito breeding will also be tightened, mainly at areas like drains, and scuppers/gully traps.

Currently, Town Councils can be fined up to S$5,000 for mosquito breeding detected at areas with dengue clusters.

NEA has been managing dengue clusters by conducting continuous surveillance of Aedes mosquito populations through the use of Gravitraps, regular inspections of potential mosquito breeding habitats as well as the removal of mosquito breeding sources through search-and-destroy methods.

From January to May 2020, 351,000 inspections were carried out by NEA islandwide, where 8,600 mosquito breeding sites were uncovered as of June 18.

NEA stated that they have also taken over 1,200 enforcement actions against owners of premises for mosquito breeding.

73 summonses and two Stop Work Orders (SWOs) were issued to construction sites, and four contractors will be charged in court for repeat offences.

As of June 19, there are a reported 254 active dengue clusters, the largest clusters being Woodleigh Close, Leicester Road, Aljunied Road, Tampines Ave 7, and Chu Lin Road.

Top photo from NEA