Singapore reported 40 more cases of locally transmitted Zika virus infections on Sunday, a lot of them foreign workers at a construction site.
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The Health Ministry will intensify monitoring at the two main entry points into Johor Bharu following the case of a Malaysian woman being infected by the Zika virus in Singapore, said Health Director-General Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
With 41 cases confirmed early the same day, the total number of Zika virus infections in Singapore has risen to 56.
“At this point, the community transmission appears to be localised within the Aljunied Crescent or Sims Drive cluster”, said NEA and MOH.
And because many Zika carriers display only mild symptoms or no symptoms at all – meaning infected people may not seek treatment – local transmission of these imported cases “is also very high”, he said.
She subsequently developed joint pain and red eyes but has been without fever, the city’s Centre for Health Protection said.
Of the cases, 36 are foreign workers who worked at a construction site at 60 Sims Drive, MOH and NEA said. Since August 28, the National Environment Agency in Singapore has screened roughly 3,600 premises out of an estimated 6,000 in the Aljunied Crescent neighborhood to check for mosquito breeding grounds.
Twelve on-site workers’ quarters and two other dormitories elsewhere were also inspected and one breeding site was detected and destroyed.
Singapore hosts thousands of foreign construction workers, majority from South Asia.
Seven patients who are still symptomatic, and potentially infectious, are being treated at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, the MOH said.
The latest outbreak of the disease began in Brazil in early 2015.
The Zika virus has been linked to microcephaly, which causes unusually small heads and brain damage in children born to infected mothers.
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Commenting further, Noor Hisham said beginning this year, the ministry had intensified monitoring as well as taken preventive and vector control measures at all global entry points for foreign visitors and locals returning from Zika-infected nations.
