Two new Zika cases confirmed at the Poh Huat Terrace and Terrasse Lane area

National Environment Agency (NEA) has reported two cases of locally-transmitted Zika virus infection in Singapore which have been confirmed at the Poh Huat Terrace and Terrasse Lane area. It noted that both of the new cases are from residents in the vicinity. The Zika cluster was notified on Tuesday (11 April) and NEA has commenced vector control operations and outreach efforts at the new cluster. The agency stated that the Simon Place cluster has closed today and will be kept under surveillance. However, it urges residents and stakeholders to maintain vigilance and continue to eliminate mosquito breeding habitats, as there could still be asymptomatic or mild, undiagnosed cases which might result in further transmission of the virus if there are mosquitoes in the vicinity.

Earlier this month, NEA also reported the second cluster of the Zika virus at Flower Road and Hendry Close, which is close to the Simon Place cluster. NEA said that it has been conducting preventive inspections in the vicinity even before the cluster was notified to detect and destroy any potential mosquito breeding habitats, as well as continuing with vector control operations in the Flower Road/Hendry Close cluster area. NEA, along with grassroots volunteers, continue to raise general awareness of Zika by distributing Zika information leaflets and insect repellents to households to the vicinity of Flower Road/Hendry Close. It also reiterates the need for source reduction to prevent mosquito breeding and advise residents to apply repellent as a precaution. The agency requests residents to allow NEA officers to carry out inspections and indoor spraying of their homes, as well as practising the 5-step Mozzie Wipeout to eliminate mosquito breeding habitat. Most people infected with the Zika virus do not develop symptoms, which heightens the risk of a Zika resurgence as it may take some time before a reintroduced Zika virus is detected. The agency advises members of the public to seek medical attention if they are unwell, especially with symptoms such as fever and rash and to inform their doctors of the location of their residence and workplace. Updated information on Zika and details on current clusters can be obtained from NEA’s website: www.nea.gov.sg/zika and www.nea.gov.sg/zika-clusters.