But an investigation revealed that the affected individuals have not travelled near Zika-affected regions, which pressed on the possibility of a local transmission.
Singapore's first case of Zika virus, which proliferates through the dengue-borne Aedes mosquito, has emerged last May. The carrier was a 48-year old male that came home after a trip in Sao Paolo, Brazil. With more positive cases expected to pour in, vector control operations across the infected area is being intensified by the National Environment Agency (NEA). Moreover, broader control measures will be introduced to both residents and travellers entering Singapore.
Among the 41 patients affected by the virus, seven continue to manifest symptoms and potentially infectious tendencies. Most of them are foreign construction workers who are now being treated at Tan Tock Seng Hospital
With no vaccine or any related preventive medication in market, the MOH remains wary that the virus will spread beyond the Aljuneid Crescent district.
Singapore authorities said that 124 people employed on a site in the same part of the country-state were tested. Working spaces and dormitories were also checked. Case results revealed that 78 are negative while five remain pending. Among the patients, 34 have fully recovered. Around two hundred NEA officers have been deployed to clean the vicinities believed to be potential breeding grounds of the Aedes mosquitoes.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the possibility of Zika, which causes microcephaly to children born to infected mothers, spreading across the Southeast Asian region may be likely considering the possible endemic transmission of mosquitoes. The global organization further adds that the Asian lineage being infected by the virus remains unknown.
