Incidence of Chikungunya Fever in Singapore: Implications of Public Health Measures and Transnational Movements of People

In addition to Dengue virus infection, another mosquito-borne viral infection has become a significant health hazard. After the first domestic case of Chikungunya fever was reported in the Republic of Singapore, the outbreak was brought under control in 18 days. Despite the quick and thorough public health measures including intensive vector control, this country known as a developed island state could not stop the subsequent outbreaks as both domestic and imported cases surged. Our in-depth investigation benefiting from field activities recapitulates the governmental interventions to control the re-emerging infectious disease. We discuss potential factors contributing to the subsequently increased cases in Singapore and then review strategies that other governments may consider in controlling vector-borne infectious diseases in urban areas with transnational movements of people.