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First case of Zika virus infection transmitted in Singapore

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Photo of an Aedes aegypti mosquito/Reuters

UPDATED 5:40PM 28 August 2016: More cases of Zika confirmed.

There have been 41 confirmed cases of locally-transmitted Zika among residents or workers in the Aljunied Crescent and Sims Drive area.

Among this number are 36 foreign construction workers, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) at a joint press conference with the National Environment Agency (NEA) on Sunday (28 August), according to media reports.

More details here: Health Ministry confirms 41 locally transmitted Zika cases

A 47-year-old woman is likely to have been infected in Singapore with the Zika virus – the first such case here.

A statement issued jointly by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and National Environment Agency (NEA) on Saturday (27 August) said the Malaysian woman resides at Block 102 Aljunied Crescent and works in Singapore.

As she had not travelled to Zika-affected areas recently, she was likely to have been infected in Singapore, the statement said.

At this point, three other suspect cases – two in a family who live in the area and an individual who works in the area – had preliminarily tested positive for Zika virus infection based on their urine samples. They are pending further confirmation tests.

While MOH and NEA have stepped up precautionary measures, they expect that there may be further cases, as most infected persons display mild or no symptoms.

All suspect cases of Zika virus infection will be isolated while awaiting confirmation of their blood test results.

The woman had developed fever, rash and conjunctivitis from 25 August. After visiting a general practitioner on 26 August, she was referred to the Communicable Diseases Centre (CDC) at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, where she was tested positive for Zika on 27 August.

She has since been hospitalised for observation at the CDC and is currently recovering.

MOH has alerted all GPs around the woman’s home and workplace to be extra vigilant and to immediately report patients with symptoms associated with Zika virus infection to MOH.

Zika is generally a mild disease. It may cause a viral fever similar to dengue or chikungunya, with symptoms including fever, skin rashes, body aches, and headache. But there are cases of Zika virus infection who do not develop symptoms.

Zika infection can, however, cause microcephaly in the unborn foetuses of pregnant women. MOH and NEA advise residents, especially pregnant women, in the Aljunied Crescent area to monitor their health.

Meanwhile, NEA has stepped up its efforts to control the Aedes mosquito population in the vicinity of Aljunied Crescent by deploying about 100 officers to inspect the area.

To minimise the risk of any spread of Zika in Singapore, MOH and NEA are urging the community to take steps to prevent mosquito breeding in their homes by doing the 5-step Mozzie Wipeout every other day, and protect themselves from mosquito bites by applying insect repellent regularly.