Singapore Local Zika Cases Increase To 258

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Joint MOH-NEA Statement (5 Sep) 

 

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Joint MOH-NEA statement (5 September)

As of 12pm, 5 September, MOH has confirmed 16 new cases of locally transmitted Zika virus infection in Singapore. Of these, 11 cases are linked to the Aljunied Crescent/ Sims Drive/ Kallang Way/ Paya Lebar Way cluster. One case is linked to the Joo Seng Road cluster. The other four cases have no known links to any existing cluster.

Vector Control Update

NEA has been continuing with vector control operations and outreach efforts in Aljunied Crescent / Sims Drive / Paya Lebar Way / Kallang Way. NEA has also expanded operations and outreach efforts at the periphery of this cluster at Circuit Road and Geylang East Way. As of 4 September, 63 breeding habitats – comprising 37 in homes and 26 in common areas/other premises – have been detected and destroyed.

NEA is continuing with vector control operations and outreach efforts in Bedok North Avenue. As of 4 September, 52 breeding habitats – comprising 42 in homes and 10 in common areas/other premises – have been detected and destroyed. Mosquito control measures are ongoing.

Vector control operations and outreach efforts at Joo Seng Road are ongoing. No breeding habitats have been detected thus far.

https://www.moh.gov.sg/content/moh_web/home/pressRoom/pressRoomItemRelease/2016/joint-moh-nea-statement--5-sep-.html

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Isolation no longer needed for Zika cases; subsidised rates for those with symptoms

TODAY file photo.

16 new Zika cases confirmed as of 12pm Monday, (Sept 5), bringing total number to 258.

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PUBLISHED: 6:32 PM, SEPTEMBER 5, 2016

UPDATED: 7:20 PM, SEPTEMBER 5, 2016

 

SINGAPORE - From Tuesday (Sept 6), suspect Zika cases will no longer need to be isolated while waiting for test results, as the Ministry of Health (MOH), in a statement released on Tuesday.

The ministry added that it will also extend subsidies for the Zika test to all Singaporeans with Zika symptoms starting Wednesday.

 

"As the cases of Zika in Singapore have been mild so far, confirmed cases will no longer need to be hospitalised unless medically indicated,” MOH said. "Patients who test positive for Zika will be hospitalised only if judged clinically necessary by their doctor. This is similar to how dengue patients are managed."

Currently all suspect cases of Zika infection are isolated in hospitals as an added precaution while awaiting confirmation of their blood test results. But starting Tuesday, after urine and/or blood samples have been taken at clinics or hospitals, patients will be able to return home to wait for test results.

The ministry added that as more cases emerge in areas, there is evidence that “there is transmission in the community with the presence of infected mosquitoes”. As most of the patients do not display symptoms, isolation of patients with symptoms will have limited effect, it said.

This comes as the number of new cases fell to 16, as of noon on Monday – compared to 26 on Saturday and 27 on Sunday – bringing the total number of locally transmitted cases to 258. Of the new cases confirmed on Monday, 11 are linked to the Aljunied Crescent/ Sims Drive/ Kallang Way/ Paya Lebar Way cluster. One case is linked to the Joo Seng Road cluster, and the other four have no known links to any existing cluster. MOH did not reveal where these four cases live or work. 

So far, there are three Zika clusters: Aljunied Crescent/ Sims Drive/ Kallang Way/ Paya Lebar Way; Bedok North Avenue 3; and Joo Seng Road. And of the 258 cases, 16 cases with no known links to other cases and clusters.

Meanwhile, MOH is also extending subsidies for the Zika test to all Singaporeans with Zika symptoms for from Wednesday (Sept 7).

http://www.todayonline.com/isolation-not-needed-zika-cases-subsidies-for-those-with-symptoms