Definitions

Data refer to the number of cases of dengue, chikungunya, leprosy and rabies. Data for dengue and chikungunya exclude tourists and foreigners seeking medical treatment.

Concepts

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are diverse conditions caused by various pathogens, with complex epidemiology often linked to environmental factors. Many are vector-borne or have animal reservoirs. NTDs have substantial health, social, and economic impacts. In Singapore, notifiable NTDs* include: (1) chikungunya, (2) dengue, (3) leprosy, and (4) rabies**. Interventions against NTDs include disease management (i.e., curative or supportive treatment) and public health actions such as vector control.
* NTDs based on World Health Organization (WHO).
** While rabies is tracked as an NTD, the country has been rabies-free since 1953. However, vigilance is maintained due to the potential for imported cases.

(1) Chikungunya fever is an acute febrile disease caused by the chikungunya virus. The disease is characterised by fever, joint pain with or without swelling, headache, fatigue, nausea and vomiting. Some patients may develop a rash affecting the trunk and limbs. The disease is usually self-limiting. Most symptoms last for three to 10 days although the joint pain may last for weeks to months. The main vector in Singapore is the Aedes albopictus mosquito.

(2) Dengue fever (DF) is an acute febrile viral disease characterised by sudden onset of fever for two to seven days, severe headache with retro-orbital pain, joint and muscle pain, skin rashes, nausea, vomiting and bleeding from nose or gums or easy bruising of skin. The infectious agents are flaviviruses comprising four serotypes (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3 and DEN-4) and are transmitted by the Aedes mosquito.

(3) Leprosy is a chronic bacterial disease of the skin, peripheral nerves and (in lepromatous patients) the upper airway by Mycobacterium leprae. The manifestations of the disease vary in a continuous spectrum between the two polar forms, lepromatous and tuberculoid leprosy. It can present as hypopigmented patches with diminished sensation, multiple raised plaques, thickened nerves or neuritis. Diagnosis can be made through clinical features, a slit skin smear or skin biopsy for histological examination. With effective chemotherapy, leprosy is curable today and patients are now treated in the general health services alongside other diseases. Currently, the Cutaneous Infections Unit of the National Skin Centre undertakes the treatment of leprosy based on the WHO guidelines for therapy.

(4) Rabies is a fatal viral disease affecting mammals, including humans, primarily transmitted through the bite or scratch of an infected animal. It attacks the central nervous system, causing initial flu-like symptoms that progress to neurological problems, including confusion, agitation, and hydrophobia. Once clinical symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal. However, it is preventable through animal vaccination programmes and timely post-exposure prophylaxis in humans. While rabies causes thousands of deaths annually worldwide, mostly in Africa and Asia, some countries including Singapore have successfully eliminated the disease through strict control measures.

Computational Method

(Number of cases of Dengue and Chikungunya, excluding tourists and foreigners seeking medical treatment) + (Number of cases of Leprosy and Rabies)

Disaggregation

-

Data Source

Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA)

Data Collection

Based on notifications by medical practitioners and laboratories.

Time Period

2010 onwards

Frequency

Annual

SDG Global Metadata

Link to United Nations SDG global metadata

Indicator 3.3.5