Dengue fever breaks out in Singapore

Dengue fever has broken out in Singapore, as the number of cases has already climbed to more than double the number throughout all of 2021. The city-state’s peak dengue season usually begins on June 1. A spokesperson for Singapore’s Ministry of Health told CNN that on May 28 this year, Singapore already had about 11,670 cases. Throughout all of 2021, there were only 5,258 dengue cases.

Dengue causes people to have high fevers, severe headaches, muscle and body pains. In extreme cases, it can cause bleeding, breathing difficulties, organ failure and even death. But the painful and dangerous symptoms aren’t all that make dengue scary. Experts say the disease is increasing with climate change as more countries face prolonged hot weather spells and thunder showers. These weather conditions help spread mosquitos and the viruses they carry.

The Meteorological Service Singapore says that the country is getting hotter twice as fast as the rest of the world. Temperatures recently hit a record high of 36.7 degrees Celsius in May.

Singapore had its worst dengue outbreak in 2020, with 35,315 cases and 28 deaths. This year there has only been one dengue-related death so far, however, 10% of cases have required hospitalization, according to the Ministry of Health. One doctor, Clarence Yeo Sze Kin, told CNN there could be a record number of cases this year.

Other Southeast Asian countries have also been grappling with dengue. In Thailand, 193 people were infected with the disease in the first month of 2022. Two people infected died, one 37 years old and the other 40. Thai health officials are saying, with the waning of the coronavirus, Thailand should expect an uptick of new cases this year.

SOURCE: CNN