For A Third time, Mozzies Found Breeding At Site

Source : TODAY, Wednesday, August 1, 2007

THE Varsity Park construction site opposite the National University of Singapore has become the second most active dengue cluster here with 33 dengue cases. And it appears that the construction company responsible for the site is no stranger to censure.

According to the National Environment Agency (NEA), an inspection on July 6 found more than 550 mosquito larvae breeding in three areas within the site, the third time the company, Woh Hup, has run afoul of the law. It was fined $2,000 in April last year and $4,000 in March this year for mosquito breeding offences.

This time around, the contractor was issued a week-long “stop work order” on July 7 and fined $5,000.

According to the NEA, “proper” housekeeping, checks for water stagnation and the isolation of sick workers, have since improved the conditions at the site.

“Profuse breeding” and the close living and working conditions of some 750 workers could have “accelerated” the build-up of cases, said the NEA. All the patients, except for one, are foreign workers.

Last week, 322 dengue cases were reported — fewer than the 363 cases the week before. — SHERALYN TAY