In case you missed the information, Singapore has been declared to be in an “emergency part” as a result of steep rise within the variety of circumstances for dengue fever. In case you get bitten, ensure you’re already coated by your insurer (or join dengue cowl to get protected free of charge) and apply the next prevention steps in your house.
Final month, our Minister of State for House Affairs warned that Singapore had reached an “emergency part”, given the steep improve within the variety of circumstances on a weekly foundation.
The present variety of dengue circumstances has exceeded 15,000 – with 378 clusters and 139 dengue-alert areas categorised by NEA* as pink hazard zones. That features my property 🙁
*Numbers correct as of 27 June. Test the most recent updates from NEA right here.
Whereas the signs of dengue are much like the widespread flu, the most important tell-tale indicators are rashes, bleeding and/or bruising even from mild knocks or bumps. It’s because dengue causes your platelet rely to drop, which impacts your pure blood-clotting skills.
For some individuals, getting bitten may ultimately lead to hospitalisation. By now, you will have already seen the unlucky information about the 82-year-old lady who efficiently evaded COVID-19 through the pandemic however ultimately succumbed to dengue. The vital part is often from Day 3 – 6 of the sickness (though precise development timelines could differ), the place even when your fever begins to subside, your platelet rely may in actual fact be dropping considerably.
Beforehand, when my father-in-law was stricken with dengue, he needed to go to the physician repeatedly for blood assessments and was informed that if his platelet rely dropped too low (underneath 80k per ml), he would require hospitalization. For reference, regular ranges are round 150k to 450k per ml. That’s as a result of with a decreased blood clotting capability, the physique can go into shock, inside bleeding, organ failure and even dying.
And in case you suppose you’re immune this time since you acquired it earlier than, that is probably not the case as a result of there are 4 totally different serotypes (aka. strains) of dengue virus: DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4. Though recovering from one serotype typically offers lifelong immunity in opposition to it, this doesn’t lengthen to the opposite serotypes, which means that a person can probably be contaminated with dengue as much as 4 occasions.
The present dominant serotype circulating in Singapore proper now’s DENV-3, which was beforehand unusual and thus much less immunity inside our inhabitants in opposition to it. In spite of everything, previous to 2020, DENV-3 was not the dominant serotype throughout earlier main dengue outbreaks within the final 3 a long time.
How a lot may dengue value?
For gentle circumstances, you’ll solely want to fret about the price of blood assessments and session charges – this may be wherever between $20 for a seek the advice of to $120 (if a blood check is required) through the general public route (additionally is dependent upon how a lot your physician expenses).
Nonetheless, if you find yourself in hospital, the payments can climb larger. For a latest affected person, her medical payments crossed $126,000 final month attributable to hospitalisation and rehab charges.
In fact, not all circumstances could value that a lot. In line with AIA Singapore, they paid out over $200,000 in claims for dengue fever prices within the 12 months 2020 (which was the final main dengue outbreak). The precise prices incurred will finally rely in your physique, your present well being circumstances and the way the an infection progresses as effectively.
In fact, the excellent news is that you just don’t should bear the medical payments by your self, as dengue fever is a situation that you could probably declare out of your insurance coverage.
Be sure to can declare out of your insurance coverage
For those who haven’t already completed so, please verify in case your insurance coverage covers you for dengue fever. Most complete private accident plans – similar to AIA’s Solitaire PA – ought to cowl it, however not all do, so verify your T&Cs to make sure.
For those who want protection in opposition to dengue fever, you will get it now free of charge (for a restricted time solely).
In AIA’s case, their newest no-cost dengue cowl plan offers for:
- $1,000 hospitalisation earnings profit attributable to dengue fever*
- $100 non-hospitalisation profit upon prognosis with dengue fever^
- $10,000 lump sum dying profit attributable to accident or dengue fever^
* Be aware: Minimal 6-hour hospital keep is required
^A ready interval of 10 days applies for dengue fever earlier than this profit will likely be payable. Dengue have to be recognized in Singapore by a Registered Medical Practitioner.
The coverage is fairly easy, however it’s also possible to learn the total checklist of T&Cs right here.
My husband and I’ve already signed up for ours. Hurry, get yours right here right now.
Stop dengue at residence by practising B-L-O-C-Okay and S-A-W
With most of us on a hybrid work association today, you wouldn’t need your own home to be a breeding floor for the Aedes mosquitoes, so ensure you apply B-L-O-C-Okay at the least as soon as each few days.
All of the beneath photos are sourced from NEA.
And in case you’re dwelling in a pink zone (like I’m) which implies there’s a excessive inhabitants of Aedes mosquitoes in your space, attempt practising S-A-W to stop your self from being bitten.
In my family, we additionally use an electrical mosquito bat to swat these pesky mosquitoes each time we see them! Most provision outlets promote it, but when not, it’s also possible to order on-line.
I additionally stick mosquito repellent patches on my children each time they head out! Whereas it isn’t 100% efficient, however it does assist to discourage (or cut back) the variety of bites they might in any other case have gotten with out the stickers.
Stop AND shield. That’s the perfect we are able to do.
To assist Singaporeans within the struggle in opposition to dengue, AIA is freely giving FREE dengue cowl, restricted to the primary 100,000 insurance policies solely. The coverage protects you and your family members (as much as a most of seven dependents) till 31 August 2022.
Signal as much as be protected in opposition to dengue fever for FREE right here by 31 August 2022.
For those who’ll like extra, it’s also possible to meet up with an AIA Monetary Companies Advisor for a overview (by 31 August) and obtain a complimentary $10 GrabFood voucher.
T&Cs apply. Protected as much as specified limits by SDIC. This commercial has not been reviewed by the Financial Authority of Singapore. The insurance policy are underwritten by AIA Singapore Non-public Restricted (Reg. No. 201106386R ("AIA"). All insurance coverage functions are topic to AIA's underwriting and acceptance. You're suggested to learn the coverage contracts for the exact phrases and circumstances of those plans, together with exclusions whereby the advantages underneath these plans is probably not paid out.
