Due to the presence of Zika in the region and the volume of travel by Singaporeans and tourists, it is "inevitable that there will be imported cases of Zika into Singapore in time to come", say the Health Ministry and NEA.
SINGAPORE: A set of control measures to reduce the risk of the Zika virus taking hold in the local population will be introduced, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) and National Environment Agency (NEA) on Wednesday (Jan 27).
The authorities said it is “inevitable that there will be imported cases of Zika into Singapore in time to come” due to the presence of Zika in the region and the volume of travel by Singaporeans and tourists.
Already, Taiwan had reported an imported case of Zika virus infection from Thailand on Jan 19. Other countries with ongoing Zika outbreaks include Brazil, Cape Verde, Colombia, El Salvador, Honduras, Martinique, Panama, and Suriname.
As such, authorities said the measures that will be implemented include:
Travellers to countries with Zika virus infection will be advised to protect themselves from mosquito bites by wearing long, covered clothing, applying insect-repellent, and sleeping under mosquito nets or in rooms with wire-mesh screens to keep out mosquitoes. Health advisory posters will be placed at the airports for outbound travellers.
Returning travellers from affected areas are advised to seek medical attention if they develop symptoms of Zika such as fever, skin rashes, joint and muscle pains, headaches and red eyes in the next 14 days.
In the event of a case of Zika virus infection in Singapore, NEA will step up intensive vector control. Together with members of the Inter-Agency Dengue Task Force, NEA will intensify search and destroy efforts to control the Aedes mosquito population.
AEDES MOSQUITO PRESENCE INCREASES RISK
They added that there is a high risk of subsequent local transmission as the Aedes mosquito vector is present here, and the virus may become endemic in Singapore. The Zika virus is transmitted through Aedes mosquitoes and vector control remains the mainstay to prevent transmission of the virus.
According to MOH and NEA, the Zika virus infection has been added to the List of Notifiable Infectious Diseases under the Infectious Diseases Act. MOH is also raising awareness of Zika virus infection among the medical community so that doctors stay vigilant against possible suspect cases.
“All confirmed cases will be admitted to a public hospital until they recover and test negative for the virus,” said MOH and NEA. “Admitting them into a single room at the hospital will also minimise their risk of being bitten by mosquitoes while they are carrying the virus, which may result in further local transmission.”
News from Channel News Asia
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