4.3 MOH and the NEA

Figure 4.9: Roles of Singapore’s NEA and its MOH

Singapore’s official bodies also play a role in controlling the population of mosquitoes in the public. The MOH and the NEA play the above roles (see the above graphic - also taken directly from the lecture slides).

4.3.1 Integrated vector management (i.e., IVM)

According to the WHO, integrated vector movement is:

“A rational decision-making process for the optimal use of resources for vector control.”

– WHO

Figure 4.10: Components of Integrated Vector Management

The above graphic (also directly taken from the lecture slides) shows the five components involved in IVM.

4.3.1.1 Evidence-based decision-making and control in Dengue

Figure 4.11: IVM in Singapore’s Dengue

The above graphic from the lecture slides shows IVM applied to a Singaporean context: in order to keep Dengue cases low, it was crucial to keep mosquito populations low (since mosquitoes are vectors of Dengue) to break the transmission cycles of Dengue.

4.3.1.1.1 Evidence in Singapore’s IVM approach

Here are some pieces of evidence in Singapore’s IVM approach to lower the number of Dengue cases (all graphics are taken directly from the lecture slides):

1. Dengue outbreaks were associated with a switch in predominant Dengue virus serotypes

   

2. Aedes mosquitoes have an excellent ability to traverse horizontal and vertical distances

   

   In this study (conducted by the professor herself), mosquitoes were tagged with a rubidium (an alkali metal) marker before being released back into the wild. Once recaptured (via random sampling), the mosquitoes were then tested to see how far vertically and horizontally they could fly.

3. Over the past 20 years, the Aedes population in Singapore have expanded

   

4.3.1.1.2 Collaboration efforts in Singapore’s effort against Dengue

Areas that had high populations of Aedes mosquitoes were shared with the public and stakeholders on NEA’s website and on their myENV application for proactive mosquito prevention measures.

Figure 4.12: Agencies Involved in Singapore’s Effort Against Dengue

The above graphics taken from the lecture slides shows the agencies that were involved in Singapore’s effort against Dengue.

Figure 4.13: Excerpts from Singapore’s National Dengue Prevention Campaign in 2021

As one can see, many changes from pre-existing campaigns were also made to better emphasize the severity of Dengue (i.e., its health costs) via a multitude of ways: a new emblem, new community banners, sticker and magnet sets, and so on!