Easier to wage war on mosquitoes than diabetes

WE KNOW a lot more about dengue than the Zika virus because we’ve been living with dengue or the threat of it all our lives. It’s the same dratted Aedes mosquito that carries Zika – that scary virus which is said to cause deformities in newborn babies. One man who travelled to Brazil, where there is an outbreak, returned to Singapore with the virus and is now isolated at Tan Tock Seng Hospital’s (TTSH) Communicable Diseases Centre.

He’s recovering, but the G said it is “possible” that some transmission of the virus had already taken place. That means he returned home and might have got bitten by an Aedes mosquito here, and that mozzie is now merrily biting other people. Home is in Watten Estate, and the G is warning its residents, as well as those in Casa Perla, Hillcrest Arcadia, The Arcadia, and Watten Hill Condominium to monitor their health. Be prepared for environment officers to come barging in to do mozzie checks.

Residents are probably wondering where the patient lives, but the G isn’t saying anything more than that he is a 48-year-old Singapore permanent resident who travelled to Sao Paulo from March 27 to May 7. Never mind who he is, it is everyone’s business to declare war on mozzies. It should be easier than declaring war on diabetes since people still like their rice and sugar. Nobody likes mosquitoes.

Also in “stable condition” is Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat, but he’s expected to stay in TTSH’s Intensive Care Unit for “some time”, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. There’s no word on how long “some time” translates to but it can be anything from three days to three weeks, according to a doctor interviewed by TODAY. Given that the aneurysm occurred in the brain, it could be at the longer end of the spectrum. Mr Heng is at National Neuroscience Institute, and his family doesn’t want visitors because they would like him to rest.

On a happier note, there’s a possibility that Singapore Airlines might scrap its fuel surcharge given that it raked in annual net profit to $804.4 million helped largely by, ooooh, the steep decline in oil prices. It lowered the surcharge in February, and you can bet there will be more pressure now on it to join other airlines that have already done away with it. Depending on which sector you are flying in, the surcharge can range from $31 to $265.

Have a good weekend everyone.

 

Featured image from TMG file. 

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