At an online meeting between the health ministry and localities last week, they agreed to increase the application of quick tests to have prompt prevention and control measures.
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Three days ago, Zika virus cases in Singapore were at 215.
Even if further studies find that Zika can not be transmitted through human tears, it may be possible to test tears for Zika genetic material or antibodies to offer a less painful way to diagnose recent Zika infection than the current method of taking blood samples, the researchers said.
Mosquito bites remain the primary means of Zika infection, but there’s a a growing body of evidence showing men without symptoms may transmit the virus to their female partners.
The researchers said their findings raise the possibility that Zika could be spread through contact with the tears of infected people, but said that would have to be proven.
She added nonpregnant women who get sick with Zika develop an immunity to the virus.
In adults, Zika infections have also been linked to a rare neurological syndrome known as Guillain-Barre, as well as other neurological disorders.
In conducting the study, researchers infected mice under the skin, similar to the way a human would be infected by a mosquito.
While some cities and countries have reported that the Zika virus cases have decreased or stopped, others are now trying to stop it from spreading even more.
Evidence on persistence of the virus in semen and its infectiousness and impact on sexual transmission remains limited and the guidance will be updated again when there is more information, World Health Organization said.
Since the beginning of August, the inspection and quarantine bureau of the Guangzhou Baiyun Airport has carried out checks on 74 passengers with symptoms from Zika-hit countries or regions.
Malaysia recorded its first zika case when a woman from Klang, Selangor was confirmed positive for the infection after returning from Singapore on Aug 21. According to him, five other cases have been detected since 2012, but these did not create an outbreak.
Zika in pregnancy is the major concern because the virus can damage the unborn child.
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It comes a few weeks after doctors discovered the virus in the sperm of an Italian man six months after he first had Zika symptoms.
