The number of dengue fever cases in Singapore has hit 5,399 as of Aug 4. Four have died from it so far.

And for some weeks in June and July, the number of dengue infections rose above 378 - the threshold level which is considered an epidemic.

The top cause of the problem is homebreeding, and authorities have responded hard by fining 2,742 errant home owners in the first six months of the year.

In the South West district alone, 896 homes were found breeding the mosquito in the first seven months of this year, making up 63 per cent of the breeding sites in the region. This is a significant increase from the 501 homes making up 37 per cent of breeding sites for the same period last year.

The top three breeding sites are domestic containers (276 sites), ornamental containers (168) and flower-pot plates (143).

As at the end of July, the district has also seen 846 residents go down with dengue fever this year, compared to 287 cases for the same period last year.

To drive home the message that dengue prevention is a community effort, the grassroots of South West constituency Keat Hong and the Civil Defence Executive Committee are getting the help of the heartland hangout - the coffeeshop.

From Aug 9, seven coffeeshops in Keat Hong will serve drinks using specially-designed plastic cups with dengue prevention messages. Each of these cups will sport one of the steps from the 10-minute Mozzie Wipe-Out procedure to remind people to practice the steps that can keep their homes mosquito-free.

In addition, coffeeshop cleaners will be cleaning and clearing tables using towels with dengue prevention messages as well.