Dengue Prevention Measures

Learn more about this viral illness and discover measures designed to help Singaporeans avoid dengue

Dengue cases have increased dramatically worldwide, increasing 30-fold in the past 50 years. There are an estimated 100 - 400 million infections each year, and about half of the world's population is now at risk, according to the World Health Organisation¹. As a tropical country that experiences a warm and humid climate all year round, mosquitos thrive here, meaning that dengue remains a persistent issue for people living in Singapore. The issue also tends to worsen with the onset of warmer months which typically run from May to September.
The good news is that dengue fever is avoidable. Singaporeans can actively take steps to reduce their risk of contracting dengue at home and at work. From using mosquito repellents to preventing mosquitoes from breeding, we've rounded up some simple measures you can take to tackle dengue.
Before we get into preventive measures, let's learn more about dengue fever.

Dengue fever: How it Spreads, Symptoms and Existing Treatments

The first step of disease prevention is to equip ourselves with a better understanding of the topic at hand. Dengue is not contagious between humans. It is, instead, caused by the dengue virus (DENV) that is transmitted via the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. Additionally, there are four strains of DENV, meaning that it is possible to be infected four times, though not everyone who is infected will show symptoms. Only about 25% of those infected will develop symptoms like these, approximately 4 - 7 days after being bitten²:

• Fever
• Severe headaches
• Skin rashes
• Nausea and vomiting
• Muscle, joint and bone pain
• Pain behind the eyes

In more serious cases, dengue fever can also develop into a haemorrhagic fever that can result in breathing difficulties, bleeding gums and nose, internal bleeding, and even death. This risk of severe illness is higher for people who have had previous dengue infections, making it even more important for us to stay vigilant. While there is no specific vaccination or treatment for dengue and severe dengue as of right now, early detection of the disease along with access to proper medical care can effectively lower the fatality rates of severe dengue to less than 1%⁶. In the meantime, the existing treatment is mainly supportive, such as hospitalisation, fluid and electrolyte replacements and blood transfusions for more severe cases.

How to Prevent the Spread of Dengue Fever

The key to curbing the spread of dengue is to prevent the Aedes mosquito from reproducing, an approach known as vector control. This involves the elimination of mosquito breeding grounds by removing any stagnant water bodies present. Businesses, employers and employees should ensure that adequate vector control measures are taken at all premises under their responsibility. To help make the task a little easier, we’re breaking it down into 2 main categories: what we can do at home, as well as at work.

Dengue Prevention at Home

The mosquito population tends to be high in residential areas; it said that among the big clusters, as much as 84% of instances of mosquito breeding were found in homes, rather than at constructions sites or common areas4. One of the best ways to prevent dengue therefore entails extra vigilance when it comes to stagnant water sources that may be accumulating in our homes. For a start, these are some steps that we can take:

• Turn over pails, watering cans, and other similar containers
• Cover the toilet bowl
• Cover gully traps that are rarely used
• Remove water from plant pot plates
• Change water in vases at least once a week
• Clear drain blockages (e.g. leaves, dirt)
• Check air-conditioning units for stagnant water
• Use aerosol insecticide sprays and mosquito repellents
• Install screens and on your windows to reduce the entry points of mosquitoes into your home
• Clean your home regularly to remove any unwanted items where mosquitoes can hide
• Engage professional pest control services if necessary

Dengue Prevention in the Workplace

At workplaces , facilities managers should periodically conduct thorough inspections of the premises to ensure that no potential breeding sites have developed. Notable places to check include potted plants, drains, air-conditioners, toilet bowls, car parks, and even leaky pipes. Employers can also provide mosquito repellent to help protect employees when they return to the office, especially if the workplace is in the vicinity of a dengue hotspot. If needed, professional pest control services should also be engaged to provide greater peace of mind for everyone present.

Over to You

The NEA's dengue-fighting Project Wolbachia has resulted in a reduction of over 70% in dengue risk along with an 80-90% reduction in mosquito populations at project sites. As of December 2025, the project has been further expanded to new locations5. While this project shows promise toward reducing dengue in Singapore, it's still important for every one of us to take immediate precautionary measures in order to keep ourselves safe, while also helping to halt the overall exacerbation of dengue cases. Be it at home or at the workplace, simple steps can be taken, not just for the safety of our loved ones, but also for the community as a whole.

 

Sources:
1. World Health Organisation. (2025). Dengue Fact Sheet.
2. Gan, N. (2020). Singapore is on track to face its worst dengue outbreak in history. CNN.
3. World Health Organisation. (2024). Dengue and severe dengue.
4. Khalik, S. (2020). Record number of 1,158 dengue infections last week as outbreak shows no signs of slowing. The Straits Times.
5. National Environment Agency. (2025) Wolbachia-Aedes Mosquito Suppression Strategy