The total number of Zika cases in Singapore has gone up to 242 after the discovery of 27 new cases on Sunday.
A joint statement by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and National Environment Agency (NEA) said 25 of the new cases are linked to the Aljunied Crescent/ Sims Drive/ Kallang Way/ Paya Lebar Way cluster.
Reuters, The Straits Times, The New Paper, NEA
A potential new cluster has also emerged in the Joo Seng Road area, taking into account one new case confirmed on Sunday and one previously reported case. NEA would carry out vector control operations there.
One new case has no known links to any cluster, said the statement.
NEA said 62 breeding habitats in the Aljunied Crescent/ Sims Drive/ Kallang Way/ Paya Lebar Way cluster were found and destroyed as of Sept 3. They comprise 36 in homes and 26 in common areas/other premises.
It added that vector control operations and outreach efforts in the Bedok North Avenue cluster are also continuing. As of Saturday, 39 breeding habitats – 29 in homes and 10 in common areas/other premises – have been detected and destroyed.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health is considering letting suspected Zika-infected patients rest at home while their blood and urine samples are tested, and sending confirmed cases home to recuperate, Senior Minister of State for Environment and Water Resources and Health Amy Khor said on Sunday (Sept 4).
But they will still be advised to take precautions such as applying insect repellent to prevent themselves from getting bitten by mosquitoes, reported The Straits Times.
Currently, patients suspected of having Zika are isolated at the Communicable Disease Centre as they await test results. Those found to be Zika-positive are isolated in hospitals.
Dr Khor said the ministry is reviewing the practice of isolating potential Zika-infected patients.
chenj@sph.com.sg
The Straits Times, The New Paper
