Close to 2,000 dengue cases so far in 2025, 74% drop from last year: NEA

Close to 2,000 dengue cases have been reported to date this year, a decrease of 74 per cent over the same period last year, said the National Environment Agency (NEA).

NEA said that large dengue outbreaks were averted in 2023 and 2024 due to "strong and sustained community vigilance" against breeding and innovations like Project Wolbachia.

NEA launched their National Dengue Prevention Campaign on May 25 as Singapore enters the traditional peak dengue season of May to October.

Speaking at the event, Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Janil Puthucheary urged members of the public to stay vigilant and eradicate mosquito breeding sources to minimise the risk of dengue and Zika transmission in the community.

Two dengue deaths have been notified this year, as of May 15.

Despite the lower rate of dengue cases, the warmer months from May to October usually sees higher dengue transmission due to accelerated development of the Aedes mosquito vector and faster multiplication of the dengue virus in mosquitoes.

NEA reiterated that the same Aedes mosquitoes that transmit dengue, is able to transmit Zika as well.

While Zika is generally a mild and self-limiting disease for most people, the consequences can be more serious if a pregnant woman is infected. Although rare, Zika virus infection of a pregnant woman can cause birth defects such as microcephaly.

Therefore, NEA says it is critical that residents regularly practice the ‘B-L-O-C-K’ and ‘S-A-W’ actions to prevent mosquitoes bites and minimise risk of disease transmission.

Studies on NEA’s Project Wolbachia also showed that risk of contracting dengue was lowered by about 75 per cent at the Aedes-Wolbachia release sites and 45 per cent at adjacent areas.

By the end of 2026, 800,000 households or about 50 per cent of all households in Singapore (from 580,000 today), will benefit from Project Wolbachia.

NEA will also trial the use of Wolbachia-Aedes mosquitoes at dengue clusters to supplement traditional control operations.

Top photo via NEA and Zhangxin/Mothership