After a second dengue death of a man living in Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 was reported on Sunday (9 Jun), NEA immediately stepped up control and preventive measures in Ang Mo Kio. Ang Mo Kio GRC is, of course, PM Lee’s constituency.
Yesterday afternoon (10 Jun), cleaners were seen clearing drains while NEA officers combed the area for potential breeding spots. They inspected drains, flower pots and even plants that could potentially trap water. Their presence was clearly felt by the Ang Mo Kio residents.
The second person who died is a 60-year-old Singaporean living in Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3.
He was first admitted to Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) on 5 June with fever, shortness of breath, vomiting and rash on his left leg. He was diagnosed with skin inflammation of the left leg and prescribed antibiotics. He was also told to return to the polyclinic for a repeat blood test.
He returned to TTSH on 7 June with continuing fever. He was later tested positive for dengue and was warded the next day (8 Jun). Subsequently, his condition deteriorated and he was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit on the same day. He passed away on Sunday (9 Jun).
Ang Mo Kio Ave 3 has not been identified by NEA as a cluster area.
With regard to the second dengue death, TTSH issued a public statement yesterday (10 Jun) explaining what had happened:
TTSH confirms that a 60 year old man with dengue died in the ICU on 9th June 2013 from multi-organ failure and complications associated with abnormal heart rhythm. He had earlier presented to the hospital’s Emergency Department on 5th June after one day of fever, general malaise and infection of the leg and was given antibiotics to manage the infection and advised on dengue management.
However, his symptoms did not improve and he returned to our Emergency Department on the evening of 7th June for persistent fever and a progressive infection and swelling of his left leg. He had also experienced weakness in his lower limbs. Our doctors admitted him for sepsis arising from the infection. The cause of his leg infection was not known and he was started on aggressive treatment for severe infections. Dengue was confirmed during his hospitalisation and we continued with the treatment. His condition kept deteriorating and by the 2nd day of hospitalisation, he had passed away.
Dengue had complicated his infection and his underlying conditions, including diabetes mellitus and hypertension may have contributed to his inability to recover. The hospital expresses its condolences to the patient’s family and seeks privacy for the family to grieve.
Dengue infections in Singapore have reached epidemic levels this year, crossing the 9,000-mark last week.
The biggest dengue clusters remain in Tampines and on the eastern part of the island.
TR Emeritus
*Article first appeared on www.TREmeritus.com