The outbreak of the Zika virus spread in Southeast Asia Thursday, with Singapore noting that total cases had risen to 115 while Malaysia confirming that its first reported case was a woman who had traveled to the neighboring city-state.
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While Malaysia and Indonesia announced they would be implementing additional passenger screening procedures at its airports, the Foreign Ministries in the United States, Australia, Taiwan and South Korea have all issued alerts, advising pregnant women against travelling to Singapore. “But if possible, it’s better to delay [trips to Singapore]”, said Indonesian Health Minister.
The number of Zika cases in Singapore has surged to 82, the government said Tuesday, as the mosquito-fighting effort continued in a bid to curb the spread of the disease.
A pregnant woman was among those diagnosed with Zika infections in Singapore, local media reported on Wednesday (31/08), citing the health ministry.
The first case of Zika infection came to light in Singapore last month where a 47-year-old woman was a victim.
By Aug. 29, there were 82 persons infected there.
Regarding the Malaysians infected with Zika in Singapore, five people had a positive test for virus.
A resident leaves a community garden as a worker fogs the area at a new Zika cluster area in Singapore September 1, 2016.
According to a Straits Times report, the kit costs only a few dollars to produce and has drawn interest from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
In fact, just hours after Frieden’s plea to Congress, Florida officials confirmed three new nontravel-related Zika cases in Miami-Dade County.
Minister for Health Mr Gan Kim Yong said, “Over time, we expect Zika cases to emerge from more areas”.
The Zika virus is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, but can also be transmitted sexually and through blood. They concluded the people were likely infected in Singapore and warned of more such cases since some of those who tested positive also live or work in other parts of Singapore.
Following the official announcement from Singapore’s Health Ministry about the transmission of the Zika virus in the country, Indonesia’s Health Ministry will continue to monitor.
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Zika has mild effects for most people but doctors believe infection during pregnancy can result in babies with small heads, which is known as microcephaly, and other serious developmental disorders.
