Eight cases of fever have been reported during the past three weeks at Eusoff Hall, National University of Singapore, and at least two of these cases have been diagnosed as dengue fever.

In a circular sent out to the residents on Sept. 14, Eusoff Hall’s general office “urged” residents to be “vigilant” in protecting themselves against dengue fever. A synchronized fumigation exercise between Eusoff Hall, Temasek Hall and the National Environment Agency has also been conducted on Sept. 25.

Dengue fever is a disease caused by the dengue virus, which can be transmitted to humans through Aedes mosquitoes. The disease is characterized by a sudden onset of fever and is accompanied by intense headache, body aches, nausea and rashes.

Chang Mei Ling, student affairs secretary of the Eusoff Hall junior common room committee, said residents are “concerned” about the situation and the management has taken steps to keep the situation under control.

“Residents who are affected by dengue will have to go for daily blood tests at the National University Hospital,” Chang said, “and they are staying at guest suites (at Eusoff Hall) to avoid getting bitten by dengue mosquitoes again.”

According to Chang, insect-repellent and insecticide have been issued to all residents. She added that the construction site located behind Eusoff Hall and Temesek Hall has also been fumigated.

The dengue situation in Eusoff Hall has raised concerns among the residents, who have since taken preventive measures to fight the mosquitoes.

Vinish Deepakraj Lalta, a resident of Eusoff Hall and an exchange student from Netherlands, said he felt the management was “overreacting” initially, but now he is “coming to terms with reality.”

“Now I’m really using the Baygon (insecticide) they issued,” he said. “Although they stink, I will still use.”

Clara Kwek, a first-year arts and social sciences student, said she is “quite scared” of the dengue situation and is also taking action to prevent dengue fever.

“I’ve been receiving dengue notices, and, although I haven’t got bitten yet, I’m spraying Baygon around the corners just in case,” she said.

Resident Guo Yesheng, a second-year student from the Faculty of Science, said the dengue situation at Eusoff Hall is “making people nervous.”

“The management has already sent us a few emails on dengue, and they have been fogging this area three to four times a week,” he said.

Despite concerns, most residents The Observer spoke to said they believe the Eusoff management is already doing all it can to help control the dengue situation.

“The administration is doing a lot already,” said Lalta. “They have also increased the intensity of the fogging.”

Gao said the measures implemented by the management are “pretty enough.”

“They are already giving out free mosquito repellents and doing routine checks,” he said. “Thermometers have been provided as well.”

According to Chang, no one from Eusoff Hall is currently hospitalized for dengue fever at press time.