Singapore dengue cases hit new high for 2007

SINGAPORE, July 10 (Reuters) The number of people infected with dengue in Singapore in a single week has risen to the year's highest level, the government said, amid a surge in the number of dengue infections across Southeast Asia.

A total of 432 cases were reported in the city-state last week, the National Environment Agency said today.

That was above the epidemic level of 378 cases per week, but well below the record 714 cases reported in a single week in 2005 when Singapore battled its worst dengue epidemic.

A total of 4,029 dengue cases have been reported in Singapore since the start of this year, compared to 5,660 cases in the same period in 2005.

Tens of thousands in Southeast Asia have been infected by dengue this year as warmer weather and heavy rains help spread the mosquito-borne virus across the region. Some experts have warned that 2007 could be the worst year on record for dengue.

Vietnam and Malaysia raised concerns on the weekend over the spread of dengue, also endemic in other regional countries such as Thailand, Indonesia and Cambodia.

Singapore, which according to some experts has one of the most effective anti-dengue programmes in the world, has stepped up its battle against the disease.

Government officials are conducting more regular spot checks of construction sites and homes, and contractors and residents can be fined between 100 Singapore dollars (66 dollars) and up to 20,000 Singapore dollars (13,170 dollars) if any mosquito larvae are found on the premises.

The owner of a commercial fishing pond was brought to court last week for breeding mosquitoes, a newspaper said.

There is no treatment for dengue, which causes flu-like symptoms such as fever and pain in the joints, and can be fatal in severe cases.

Experts said it is difficult to control dengue because people are spreading the disease across borders as they travel more frequently and more widely.

REUTERS AGL HS1040