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 instances 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 follow the next prevention steps in your house.
Final month, our Minister of State for Residence Affairs warned that Singapore had reached an “emergency part”, given the steep improve within the variety of instances on a weekly foundation.
The present variety of dengue instances has exceeded 15,000 – with 378 clusters and 139 dengue-alert areas labeled by NEA* as pink hazard zones. That features my property 🙁
*Numbers correct as of 27 June. Examine the newest updates from NEA right here.
Whereas the signs of dengue are just like the frequent flu, the most important tell-tale indicators are rashes, bleeding and/or bruising even from gentle knocks or bumps. It’s because dengue causes your platelet rely to drop, which impacts your pure blood-clotting skills.
For some folks, getting bitten might ultimately lead to hospitalisation. By now, you might have already seen the unlucky information about the 82-year-old girl who efficiently evaded COVID-19 throughout the pandemic however ultimately succumbed to dengue. The crucial part is usually 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 might in truth be dropping considerably.
Beforehand, when my father-in-law was stricken with dengue, he needed to go to the physician often for blood exams and was informed that if his platelet rely dropped too low (beneath 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 diminished blood clotting means, the physique can go into shock, inner bleeding, organ failure and even loss of life.
And should you suppose you’re immune this time since you obtained it earlier than, that will not be 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 supplies lifelong immunity in opposition to it, this doesn’t prolong to the opposite serotypes, that means that a person can probably be contaminated with dengue as much as 4 instances.
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 any case, 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 might dengue price?
For delicate instances, you’ll solely want to fret about the price of blood exams and session charges – this may be anyplace between $20 for a seek the advice of to $120 (if a blood take a look at is required) through the general public route (additionally is determined by how a lot your physician costs).
Nevertheless, if you find yourself in hospital, the payments can climb increased. For a latest affected person, her medical payments crossed $126,000 final month on account of hospitalisation and rehab charges.
In fact, not all instances could price that a lot. In accordance 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 situations and the way the an infection progresses as properly.
In fact, the excellent news is that you simply don’t must 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
When you haven’t already performed so, please verify in case your insurance coverage covers you for dengue fever. Most complete private accident plans – resembling AIA’s Solitaire PA – ought to cowl it, however not all do, so verify your T&Cs to make certain.
When you want protection in opposition to dengue fever, you may get it now free of charge (for a restricted time solely).
In AIA’s case, their newest no-cost dengue cowl plan supplies for:
- $1,000 hospitalisation earnings profit on account of dengue fever*
- $100 non-hospitalisation profit upon prognosis with dengue fever^
- $10,000 lump sum loss of life profit on account of accident or dengue fever^
* Notice: Minimal 6-hour hospital keep is required
^A ready interval of 10 days applies for dengue fever earlier than this profit will probably be payable. Dengue should be recognized in Singapore by a Registered Medical Practitioner.
The coverage is fairly easy, however you can too learn the complete listing of T&Cs right here.
My husband and I’ve already signed up for ours. Hurry, get yours right here in the present day.
Forestall dengue at house by practising B-L-O-C-Okay and S-A-W
With most of us on a hybrid work association lately, you wouldn’t need your own home to be a breeding floor for the Aedes mosquitoes, so ensure you follow B-L-O-C-Okay not less than as soon as each few days.
All of the beneath photos are sourced from NEA.
And should you’re residing in a pink zone (like I’m) which suggests 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 at any time when we see them! Most provision retailers promote it, but when not, you can too order on-line.
I additionally stick mosquito repellent patches on my children at any time when they head out! Whereas it isn’t 100% efficient, nevertheless it does assist to discourage (or scale back) the variety of bites they’d in any other case have gotten with out the stickers.
Forestall AND defend. That’s the most effective we will do.
To assist Singaporeans within the struggle in opposition to dengue, AIA is making a gift of 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.
When you’ll like extra, you can too meet up with an AIA Monetary Providers Marketing consultant 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 coverage are underwritten by AIA Singapore Non-public Restricted (Reg. No. 201106386R ("AIA"). All insurance coverage purposes are topic to AIA's underwriting and acceptance. You might be suggested to learn the coverage contracts for the exact phrases and situations of those plans, together with exclusions whereby the advantages beneath these plans will not be paid out.
