China on Thursday confirmed 21 Chinese nationals in Singapore are infected with the Zika virus.
Advertisement
“Over time, we expect Zika cases to emerge from more areas”, health minister Gan Kim Yong said.
For the first time in the continental United States, the Zika virus has been detected in trapped mosquitoes in a small area of Miami Beach, Florida officials said Thursday.
The first locally transmitted Zika case of Singapore was that of a Malaysian woman 47 year old.
The new cases include the second pregnant woman in Singapore to be diagnosed with Zika.
“Yes, we will be asking the federal and state government for additional funds as we move on in the fight against Zika, but it doesn’t mean we will be stopping any of our efforts”, while we wait to be reimbursed, said Gimenez.
“We already knew because of human cases [that] Zika transmission was occurring; positive pools are just further indication that transmission is still occurring in the area”, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention spokeswoman Candice Hoffmann said.
He said Indian Mission is in “constant close touch” with the Ministry of Health of Singapore and will continue to follow up to ensure that Indian Nationals receive full medical support.
The Zika virus, is spread to people through mosquito bites, was declared an global public health emergency by the World Health Organization.
Officials said they are not considering asking restaurants and bars in the area to temporarily close outdoor dining areas, but they will increase spraying, trapping and testing.
Malaysia’s first Zika infection case is a reminder that the virus, which was detected on a large scale in Brazil a year ago, has made inroads in Southeast Asia countries, with other countries being affected including Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore.
Advertisement
Those who return to Indonesia are advised to undergo a health check-up within 14 days and to immediately consult a doctor if they detect symptoms such as fever, skin rashes, joint or muscle pains, headaches, and red eyes. The virus is closely linked to microcephaly, a condition in which babies born to Zika-infected mothers have tinier heads and severe brain defects. Schaffner said the finding showed there is a substantial amount of Zika in circulation. “We have the opportunity right now to prevent (Zika’s) spread and by doing so, halting the spread of unnecessary suffering”, he said. She began to exhibit symptoms of rash on August 28 and was tested positive on August 30, according to a press release from the ministry.
