'Fast-growing' dengue cluster detected in Yio Chu Kang, 135 cases so far: NEA
As of Jul 6, there are 17 dengue clusters, of which 7 are located in the Yio Chu Kang and Seletar-Serangoon area.
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SINGAPORE: The National Environment Agency (NEA) on Tuesday (Jul 7) said it has detected a "fast-growing" dengue cluster at Countryside Road and Lentor Avenue, where 135 cases have been reported so far.
Across Singapore, there are 131 dengue cases reported from Jun 28 to Jul 4, an increase of 12 cases from the previous week, NEA said in a statement.
As of Jul 6, there were 17 active dengue clusters, of which seven are located in the Yio Chu Kang and Seletar-Serangoon area.
According to NEA's website, 1,311 dengue cases have been reported in 2026 so far.
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“Singapore is currently in the traditional peak dengue season, when warmer temperatures accelerate mosquito development cycles and dengue virus multiplication,” NEA said.
NEA said mosquito breeding habitats have been detected in receptacles such as domestic containers, flowerpot plates and refuse bins at the dengue cluster at Countryside Road and Lentor Avenue.
The agency said it has carried out multiple rounds of inspections at the site.
A total of 86 mosquito breeding habitats were detected, comprising 69 in residential premises, 15 in common areas and two at construction sites.
“Enforcement action will be taken against errant premises owners and relevant stakeholders found responsible for mosquito breeding,” NEA said.
The agency added that "intensified vector control operations" are ongoing at these clusters and surrounding areas. These entail spraying insecticide at residential premises and common areas, larviciding in common areas, as well as fogging.
“NEA also continues to work closely with community partners to engage residents through house visits, community events and social media, and raise awareness of dengue prevention,” the agency said.
The Countryside Road and Lentor Avenue area has been classified as a red zone, indicating a high-risk cluster with 10 or more reported cases.
The ward's Member of Parliament, Mr Yip Hon Weng, told CNA that the situation is being taken very seriously.
"As a large active dengue cluster in Singapore today, it reminds us that dengue remains a persistent public health challenge, particularly during the warmer months."
Mr Yip said that while the exact causes of any cluster are best determined by NEA's investigations, dengue is rarely the result of a single factor and usually a combination of favourable weather, the presence of Aedes mosquitoes, and small, often overlooked breeding habitats.
He also spoke about how easy it is for a breeding habitat to form.
"It only takes a bottle cap, a flowerpot tray or a small container of clean stagnant water for mosquitoes to breed.
"In a neighbourhood with a mix of landed homes, gardens and landscaped areas, many potential breeding habitats are within private premises. That is why the front line against dengue is not outside our homes. It begins at our own doorstep."
Many residents have also shared feedback, reported areas where water may be collecting and asked what more they can do.
"That gives me confidence because our greatest asset in fighting dengue is not just technology or enforcement. It is an informed, vigilant and caring community," he said.
There are three other clusters presently categorised as red zones, all of which are in the Seletar area. They are the Jalan Bangau/Jalan Jarak cluster with 31 cases, the Belgravia Drive/Kasai Road cluster with 27 cases, and the Lilac Drive/Mimosa Road cluster, also with 27 cases.
INSPECTION EFFORTS
On Tuesday, reporters observed two NEA officers conducting a home inspection at a landed property on Countryside Road.
Homeowner James Wong, 67, said he was concerned and surprised by the recent rise of cases in the area.
Although he does not personally know anyone in the neighbourhood who has contracted dengue, he said residents became increasingly worried when their area was classified as a red zone.
"We have a relatively big garden with a lot of plants, so we need to be vigilant at all times. We make sure containers are overturned and that there is no stagnant water," he said.
One area of the house that Mr Wong is particularly concerned about is the rear gutters, where rainwater and leaves tend to accumulate. He also noted that the family's domestic helper has been sweeping the area more regularly.
With the recent spike in cases, Mr Wong said he has noticed more NEA officers carrying out fogging operations and conducting house inspections.
"I see them practically almost every day, and they work with two or three pest control companies," he said.
The inspection at Mr Wong's house took about 20 minutes, with officers checking various areas on the first floor of the two-and-a-half-storey house for potential breeding habitats.
They began in the living and dining areas, using flashlights to inspect decorative vases on tables and incense holders on the household altar.
In the kitchen, the officers inspected the drying rack, sinks and the area beneath the sink for any signs of stagnant water.
They then moved to the first-floor toilet, where they checked the sink area as well as overturned pails.
At the rear of the house, where there was a tiled area with flower pots and gardening supplies, the officers removed a drain cover to inspect the drain.
Using a flashlight and a metal scoop, they scooped up water to check for mosquito larvae, and used a mirror to inspect the corners and deeper sections of the drain.
The garden contained a variety of flowering and non-flowering plants, including a pineapple plant, which can trap water between its leaves.
The NEA officers noted that the homeowner had been vigilant in maintaining the plants and reducing potential breeding spots.
At the front of the house, which featured a larger garden, the officers checked the flower plates beneath potted plants and inspected areas around the owner’s koi pond.
They also used flashlights to inspect gaps between the wooden decking, looking for any pockets of stagnant water.
After completing the inspection within the property, they continued to inspect the drains surrounding the house for stagnant water and mosquito larvae.
They then continued their inspection along the street, examining roadside plants, dry foliage and drains outside neighbouring houses.
The homeowner, Mr Wong, also spoke about the strong sense of community among residents in the area.
He said the estate's residents actively look out for one another by distributing flyers and informing others about the dengue outbreak. They also remind one another to stay vigilant and take preventive measures.
“We hope that this dengue outbreak can be cleared up quickly.”
Similarly, Mr Yip told CNA that over the past few weeks, he had joined grassroots volunteers on walkabouts and door-to-door visits in the affected area.
"These conversations are not just about reminding residents what to do. They are equally about listening to concerns, answering questions and building a shared sense of responsibility."
"Awareness is important, but awareness alone does not stop dengue. Awareness must become action, and action must become habit," Mr Yip said.
When asked about common misconceptions, he said one he hopes to dispel is the belief that dengue prevention is solely the responsibility of the authorities, or that fogging alone is enough to solve the problem.
While fogging helps reduce the adult mosquito population, it does not eliminate breeding sites, he said.
"Likewise, a neighbourhood that appears clean is not necessarily free from risk, as Aedes mosquitoes can breed in very small amounts of clean water that are easily overlooked."
"Ultimately, the real battle against dengue is won before anyone falls sick. It is won when every resident spends a few minutes each week checking for stagnant water, when neighbours look out for one another, and when residents, grassroots volunteers and public agencies work as one team.
"Public health is strongest when responsibility is shared. If everyone does a little, together we achieve a lot," he said.
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