I had to give a presentation today on DENGUE FEVER IN SINGAPORE.....

 Thought I'd share a few cool  facts that I learned  about the Aedes mosquito and dengue while preparing for the presentation......

• The female Aedes mosquitoes are responsible for the bites we get, know why? Well that is because they need the protein found in human blood to aid in  the development of their eggs!

 I know, wow right? Thats what I felt too! Anyways.........

•  All that's needed for a mosquito to start breeding is water the size and depth of a 20 cent coin!
•  A female mosquito lays up to 100 eggs which can remain unhatched for upto 9 months!

Here are some UNcool facts about dengue..

• Did you know that it is the MOST common vector borne disease in the WORLD..?

(A vector borne disease is basically a disease which can be transmitted to both humans and animals via insects and arthropods. Arthropods are animals with an external skeleton and no backbone)

• It is Dengue hemorrhagic fever ( a complication and more severe strain of dengue) which is fatal.
• About 500 000 people are diagnosed with  Dengue hemorrhagic fever EACH year. The saddest part is that most of the victims of this fatal disease are children  :(
• At the moment, two fifths of the world is estimated to be at risk from dengue

So how can YOU play a role in protecting your family, your neighbors and yourselves?

Check out Singapore's strategy to combat dengue . Their efforts revolve around getting rid of the source of the problem- the breeding sites of the Aedes mosquito. Spending just ten minutes a day to carry out 5 simple steps will reduce both you and your family's risk of getting dengue!

For an insight into what these steps are and more advice on what you can do, check out the following website
http://www.dengue.gov.sg/subject.asp?id=101

Tooodles rainbow people!