Singapore confirms increase in cases of local transmission of Zika infection

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Singapore confirms increase in cases of local transmission of Zika infection. Besides Singapore, 57 other countries have reported cases of locally transmitted Zika virus infection. Aedes aegypti—a mosquito vector of Zika virus. Credit: Wikipedia / Rafaelgilo.

Fifteen more cases of locally transmitted Zika virus infection were reported in Singapore according to its Ministry of Health on Monday.

Of the 15 cases, two works at a construction site at 60 Sims Drive have recovered.

The other 13 cases were people who work or live in the broader Sims Drive and Aljunied Crescent area, where the virus was first detected.

The Health Ministry already confirmed that total casea now 41 of locally transmitted Zika virus infection in the city state.

With the new reported cases, a total of 56 were confirmed here.

The authority revealed that it has completed testing of all workers at the construction site who had previously shown symptoms of fever and rash.

It is also screening workers staying at the dormitories located near the affected areas.

Its National Environment Agency (NEA) has inspected about 3,600 of an estimated 6,000 premises in the Aljunied Crescent and Sims Drive cluster to check for mosquito breeding.

Thermal fogging, misting and indoor spraying of insecticides have been carried out at the premises.

Besides Singapore, 57 other countries have reported cases of locally transmitted Zika virus infection.

In May, a 48-year-old male Singapore permanent resident returning from Brazil, where Zika is rife, was the first known Zika case here.

Singapore had already been grappling with dengue before the emergence of Zika, which is spread by the same kind of mosquito.(with reports from Xinhua / Kyodo)

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