Singapore’s Zika virus cases rise to 82, travel warnings issued
As of August 30, Singapore’s confirmed Zika virus infection cases climbed to 82 since the first case was reported on August 27. The US has also issued a travel warning for pregnant women to avoid traveling to the city-state, joining South Korea, Taiwan and Australia.
Singapore’s first locally-transmitted case of the Zika virus infection was a 47-year-old Malaysian woman living in Aljunied Crescentin the southeast corner of the city-state.
In a joint news release, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and National Environment Agency (NEA) said that the victim was most likely to have been infected locally as she has not traveled to any Zika-affected countries recently. She developed symptoms like fever, conjunctivitis (red eyes) and rashes on August 25, and visited a general practitioner the next day. She was then referred to Tan Tock Seng Hospital’s Communicable Diseases Centre (CDC), where she tested positive for the Zika virus.
On August 28, the MOH confirmed in a statement that there are 41 locally-transmitted cases of the Zika virus infection in the city-state. In all these cases, the victims all resided or worked in the Aljunied Crescent/Sims Drive area. Local transmission of the virus was also confirmed as none of the victims traveled to any area affected by the virus.
Thirty-four of these patients have already recovered fully, while the remaining 7, who are still showing symptoms and may be potentially infectious, are recovering at Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
But at least five of the new cases confirmed were detected outside the Aljunied area. Areas of concern, according to the MOH, include Khatib Camp, Sembawang Drive,Kranji Road, JooChiat Place, Senoko South Road, Toh Guan Road East, and Lor 101 Changi.
Singapore has also advised pregnant women to take a free Zika test if they showed any symptoms or if their partners tested positive. The public, especially pregnant women, is also advised to avoid non-essential travel to affected areas or areas with ongoing outbreaks.
“While there is currently no evidence that pregnant women are more likely to get Zika virus infection, the consequences can be more serious if a pregnant woman is infected, as the Zika virus infection can cause microcephaly in the unborn foetus of pregnant women,” the MOH said. Microcephaly is a congenital condition wherein the infant’s head is significantly smaller in size than other children of the same age.
The Zika virus is known to be transmitted sexually and through the bite of the Aedes mosquito. The MOH advises the citizens to adopt precautionary measures such as protecting themselves from mosquito bites and preventing the breeding of the mosquito as well as practicing safe sex.They are also urged to immediately visit their doctors if they feel symptoms such as fever, rashes, joint and muscle pains, headache, and conjunctivitis.
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