Singapore will have a rapid detection device for dengue fever

In the near future, doctors may only need 10 minutes to identify a patient with dengue fever, equal to one-third of the time needed by the fastest testers sold in the market. in Singapore today.

However, this depends on whether the rapid detection technology, designed by Vladislav Papper of the Nanyang Technological University, can be rapidly introduced into mass production.

NEA staff looking for mosquito breeding sites. (Source: therealsingapore.com)

There are no vaccines or special antiviral drugs for dengue fever. Therefore, early diagnosis is important in the treatment of a potentially deadly disease.

Dr. Papper's proposal was among the seven research projects that received a $ 250,000 grant from the National Research Foundation project in December 2013 to commercialize the product within 12 months.

Of the seven projects, two are in the field of medical device technology in biopharmaceutical technology, the other four in the field of technology.

Last year, Singapore experienced the worst outbreak of dengue fever in history, with more than 22,000 infections, including seven deaths. Dengue fever continues to boom this year, when the first victim was a 59-year-old woman who died in early January.

By mid-February, there were 53 dengue outbreaks in the lion island nation, according to the National Environmental Authority (NEA).

The Woodlands area of Rosewood Drive is home to the strongest of 37 cases of fever. Four other areas are Jurong West Street 52, Farrer Road, Lorong Kismis and Telok Kurau, each with 10 dengue cases.