A Malaysian woman is believed to be the first patient infected by locally-transmitted Zika virus in Singapore.
The Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) and National Environment Agency (NEA), which have been informed of the Zika virus infection, said as the 47-year-old had not travelled to Zika-affected areas recently, she was likely to have been infected in the republic.
She resides at Block 102, Aljunied Crescent and works in Singapore.
"MOH and NEA are working together to carry out vector control and testing of residents in that area with fever and rashes, so as to reduce the risk of further spread," said Health Minister Gan Kim Yong in a statement today.
"I encourage those who are unwell and with such symptoms to visit the doctor for medical attention. We have also alerted our clinics in the area to look out for suspect cases and refer them to the Communicable Diseases Centre (CDC) for testing."
According to MOH and NEA, the patient had developed fever, rash and conjunctivitis from Aug 25.
She visited a general practitioner (GP) on Aug 26 and was referred to the CDC at Tan Tock Seng Hospital where she tested positive for Zika on Aug 27.
She has since been hospitalised for observation at the CDC and is currently well and recovering.
MOH and NEA said with the presence of Zika in the region and the volume of travel by Singaporeans as well as tourists, it was inevitable there would be imported cases of Zika into Singapore.
There is also risk of subsequent local transmission, as the Aedes mosquito vector is present here.
While MOH and NEA have stepped up precautionary measures, it was expected there might be further cases, as most infected persons might display mild or no symptom, said the statement.
MOH is screening the patient's close contacts, including household members and carrying out Zika testing on others living and working in the area, displaying symptoms of fever and rash.
At this point, three other suspect cases – two in a family who live in the area and an individual who works in the area – had preliminarily tested positive based on their urine samples.
They are pending further confirmation tests, said the statement.
For now, as an added precaution, all suspect cases of Zika virus infection would be isolated while awaiting confirmation of the blood test results, said the statement.
Bernama
Sat Aug 27 2016
![Malaysian first infected by locally-transmitted Zika virus Malaysian first infected by locally-transmitted Zika virus](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-03/51456901522_ZikaVirus.jpg)
In this Jan 18, 2016 file photo, a female Aedes aegypti mosquito acquires a blood meal on the arm of a researcher at the Biomedical Sciences Institute in the Sao Paulo's University in Sao Paulo, Brazil. - AP Photo
10 Berita Pilihan - (16 Julai 2024
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
PAC beri tempoh tiga bulan kepada HRD Corp
Jawatankuasa Kira-kira Wang Negara (PAC) memberi tempoh tiga bulan kepada Perbadanan Pembangunan Sumber Manusia (HRD Corp) untuk mengemukakan laporan tindakan susulan terhadap syor jawatankuasa itu.
Kylian Mbappe tandatangan kontrak dengan Real Madrid
Bintang bola sepak Perancis Kylian Mbappe menandatangani kontrak selama lima tahun dengan kelab Sepanyol Real Madrid pada Selasa.
Pelepasan ketujuh air sisa nuklear Fukushima ke laut selesai
Jepun telah menyelesaikan pusingan ketujuh pelepasan air sisa radioaktif yang dirawat dari loji kuasa nuklear Fukushima Daiichi ke Lautan Pasifik pada Selasa.
Empat termasuk kapten maut dalam pertempuran
Empat anggota tentera India termasuk kapten meninggal dunia akibat kecederaan selepas pertempuuran pada malam isnin di Hutan Desa.
Pakistan sahkan 4 warganya terbunuh di Oman
Pakistan berkata pada Selasa empat warganya terbunuh dalam insiden tembakan pada malam Isnin berhampiran ibu negara Oman, Muscat.
Lima terbunuh, puluhan cedera dalam protes antikuota di Bangladesh
Sekurang-kurangnya empat orang terbunuh dan puluhan lagi cedera dalam pertempuran antara pelajar yang memprotes sistem kuota dalam pekerjaan sektor awam dan polis di pelbagai bahagian Bangladesh pada Selasa.
Kerajaan cadang perkenal pembiayaan swasta
Kerajaan menyasarkan untuk memperkenalkan pembiayaan swasta alternatif bagi memastikan kemampanan kewangan program sektor air, sekali gus mengurangkan kebergantungan pada perbelanjaan kerajaan dan mengukuhkan daya tahan.
Saya tak fitnah Guan Eng, cuma jelaskan siasatan SPRM - Muhyiddin
Presiden Bersatu Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin memberitahu Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur hari ini bahawa beliau tidak memfitnah Lim Guan Eng berhubung isu pengecualian cukai terhadap Yayasan Albukhary
KPT alu-alukan dapatan, cadangan PAC - Zambry
Ini termasuklah cadangan pelaksanaan Garis Panduan Pelaburan dan Pembiayaan oleh Universiti Awam 2024 kepada anak-anak syarikat di bawah seliaan Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi (KPT).
![Kajian: Zika boleh mencetuskan gangguan saraf yang teruk Kajian: Zika boleh mencetuskan gangguan saraf yang teruk](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-02/71455156490_Zika.jpg)
Kajian: Zika boleh mencetuskan gangguan saraf yang teruk
Ahli-ahli sains telah mengesahkan bahawa virus Zika yang melanda Amerika Latin boleh juga menyebabkan gangguan saraf yang merbahaya.