SINGAPORE – An additional 17 local cases of Zika were confirmed on Tuesday (Sep 6), pushing up the total number of cases in Singapore to 275.
A joint statement by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and National Environment Agency (NEA) also revealed a potential new cluster at Bishan Street 12, in the wake of a previously reported case and a new case there today. NEA said it will carry out vector control operations and outreach efforts there.
Of the 17 new cases, 10 are linked to the Aljunied Crescent / Sims Drive / Kallang Way / Paya Lebar Way cluster. The other six cases have no known links to any existing cluster.
NEA said it has continued vector control operations in Aljunied Crescent, Sims Drive, Paya Lebar Way and Kallang Way. It has expanded operations to cover the nearby areas of this cluster such as Circuit Road, Geylang East Central, Geylang East Avenue 1.
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As of Sep 5, 65 breeding spots in that cluster – comprising 38 in homes and 27 in common areas or other premises – have been detected and wiped out, reported the agency.
Meanwhile, NEA’s efforts in vector control operations in Bedok North Avenue will continue. So far, 67 breeding habitats there – comprising 56 in homes and 11 in common areas and other premises – have been detected and destroyed.
NEA said its efforts at Joo Seng Road are ongoing after a potential cluster was found there. As of Sep 5, two instances of breeding in common areas or other premises there have been found and destroyed.
Related: Zika outbreak could impact slowing economy in Singapore
PM Lee calls on ASEAN countries to fight Zika jointly
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong today (Sep 6) called on ASEAN countries to “join hands” to fight Zika, while keeping the region open for business and trade, reported Channel News Asia.
“It is imperative for us to work together to combat Zika,but we should put Zika in the proper context,” Mr Lee said. “Given the presence of the Aedes mosquito, Zika may become endemic in our region, just like dengue,” Mr Lee said at the ASEAN Summit held in Laos.
“We should prepare ourselves for a possibly extended campaign against Zika but ensure that the region remains open and connected for business and trade,” he said.
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NTUC FairPrice appeals to shoppers not to hoard repellents
The demand for insect repellent and insecticide has seen an upsurge by more than 10 times compared to a month before, according to NTUC FairPrice.
In a media release on Tuesday (Sep 6), the supermarket chain said it sold more than 115,000 anti-mosquito products between Sept 1 and 4. This has resulted in “intermittent availability” of the products across more than 130 of its stores.
FairPrice placed an additional order for 175,000 items, which will be made available from today to the end of the week.
Urging consumers not to hoard, its CEO Seah Kian Peng advised consumers to buy only the quantity they need.
chenj@sph.com.sg
