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Singapore confirmed 31 new cases of locally transmitted Zika virus infection with one is pregnant as of Thursday, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) and National Environment Agency (NEA).
Thursday's update brings the total number of Zika infections in Singapore to 151. Of the 31 cases, three are not linked to any existing cluster. They live in Tagore Avenue, Yishun Street 81 and Harvey Crescent, according to the joint statement.
The MOH also mentioned that one of newly reported cases confirmed on Thursday is pregnant, which is the second pregnant woman to be diagnosed with Zika in the city state.
A pregnant woman stands outside a maternity hospital in Singapore, Sept. 1, 2016. Photo By: Xinhua/Then Chih Wey
The woman is linked to the Aljunied Crescent/Sims Drive cluster. Her doctor is following up closely with her to provide support and counselling.
Another five cases were detected as a result of MOH's look-back testing of previous cases. A total of 236 samples were taken, of which 52 tested positive.
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Thursday that the best defence against Zika is to eradicate mosquitoes and destroy breeding habitats.
"The cases so far have been in Aljunied and Bedok, but we must assume that Zika is elsewhere in Singapore too," he wrote on Facebook post, adding that scientists are still learning about Zika "But we know that for most people, it is mild, and in fact often causes no symptoms at all. Pregnant women are at risk, as they are with other viral infections like dengue and chicken pox. Do take precautions and get tested if you show symptoms.
Volunteers from the Bedok Town Council helped the NEA to distribute fliers and insect repellent to residents at Block 404, Bedok North Avenue 3, yesterday.Photo By: ST/MARK CHEONG
"Our best defence is to eradicate mosquitoes and destroy breeding habitats, all over Singapore. Do the five-step Mozzie Wipeout. Let's all do our part to fight Zika, and dengue as well."
The NEA said vector control remains key to reducing the spread of the Zika virus. The government agency has taken a systematic and holistic approach to arrest mosquito borne transmission through surveillance, prevention and control, outbreak management and outreach.
"The objective is to keep mosquito-borne disease incidence low through reducing the mosquito population and breaking the disease transmission chain," it said.
A resident reads a Zika virus pamphlet at a residential area in Singapore, Sept. 1, 2016. Photo By: Xinhua/Then Chih Wey
The NEA is continuing with vector control operations to control the Aedes mosquito population in the existing Aljunied Crescent/Sims Drive cluster. At least 49 breeding habitats have reportedly been detected and destroyed.
The government agency has also conducted vector control operations and outreach efforts in Bedok North Avenue 3, Punggol Way and Joo Seng on Thursday.
Residents are urged to cooperate fully with the NEA and allow its officers to inspect their premises for mosquito breeding and spray insecticide to kill any mosquitoes.
Malaysia yesterday also confirmed its first case of Zika linked to the outbreak here. Its Health Ministry said the 58-year-old financial consultant travelled to Singapore on Aug 19 to visit her daughter, who lives in Paya Lebar.
The daughter also tested positive for Zika, and is one of at least six Malaysians living here who have been infected. Among the Zika cases in Singapore, 57 were foreigners, including 24 Chinese nationals. All of them had "mild illness" and most have recovered.
(APD)
