26 more Zika cases confirmed in Singapore, more areas affected
A notice on Zika in the Aljunied Crescent/Sims Drive cluster. Photo: CNBC
The Ministry of Health (MOH) has confirmed another 26 more cases of locally transmitted Zika virus cases in Singapore, as of 12pm on Tuesday (30 August).
In addition to the 56 cases diagnosed since the weekend, this means that a total of 82 individuals have been infected with the virus that has spread globally, and is particularly harmful to pregnant women.
Of the 26 new cases, 17 live or work in the Sims Drive/ Aljunied Crescent area and five live or work in Kallang Way and Paya Lebar Way. The remaining four cases are being investigated for their links to the affected area.
Another 111 individuals have tested negative over the last 24 hours, according to a joint statement from MOH and the National Environment Agency (NEA).
Vector controls and outreach
Fumigation at Block 53 Sims Drive. Photo: Nicholas Yong
As of Monday, NEA officers have inspected about 5,000 premises out of an estimated 6,000 premises in the Aljunied Crescent/Sims Drive cluster. They checked for mosquito breeding, and also conducted ground checks in the vicinity.
Thirty-nine breeding habitats have been detected and destroyed. NEA has also served notices on more than 400 inaccessible premises in the cluster. This requires the owners to contact NEA to arrange for an inspection, failing which authorities will proceed with forced entry.
The agency has also inspected the on-site workers quarters at the construction site at Sims Drive, where some 36 construction workers were found to have been infected with Zika. The Stop Work Order on the construction site at Sims Drive is still in force.
NEA officers and grassroots volunteers have completed the first round of outreach efforts in the Aljunied Crescent/Sims Drive cluster, to distribute Zika information leaflets. It will be commencing vector control operations and outreach efforts in Kallang Way and Paya Lebar Way.
Pregnant women
Separately, MOH and the Clinical Advisory Group (CAG) on Zika and Pregnancy are advising pregnant women exhibiting symptoms such as fever, rash, red eyes or joint pain to be tested for the Zika virus.
This is regardless of whether they have been exposed to Zika-affected areas. More information can be found here.