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
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
Pintas Utama serah zakat perniagaan RM3 juta kepada Lembaga Zakat Selangor
Sultan Selangor berkenan mewakili Lembaga Zakat Selangor menerima serahan zakat perniagaan berjumlah RM3 juta.
Ibu didakwa aniaya anak lelaki hingga cedera
Seorang ibu mengaku tidak bersalah di Mahkamah Sesyen di sini hari ini atas pertuduhan menganiaya anak lelakinya berusia sembilan tahun.
Beli kondo mewah: Isa Samad, Mohd Emir diperintah bayar RM3.31 juta kepada FGV
Mahkamah Tinggi memerintahkan bekas Mohd Isa dan bekas Mohd Emir membayar lebih RM3.31 juta kepada syarikat itu berhubung pembelian dua unit kondominium mewah di ibu negara.
AWANI Ringkas: Kandungan mudarat di media sosial meningkat
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
Xiaomi lancar kereta elektrik Xiaomi SU7, harga bermula RM141,500
Xiaomi semalam secara rasminya telah melancarkan kereta elektrik mereka yang pertama dinamakan Xiaomi SU7 untuk pasaran China.
X akan tawar ciri premium percuma jika ada lebih 2,500 pengikut disahkan
ELON Musk memaklumkan perubahan pada penawaran ciri-ciri X kepada semua akaun.
'Tulisan jawi tiada kaitan Jelajah Perikatan Nasional' - MUDA Kelantan
MUDA Kelantan menegaskan tulisan jawi tertera pada sepanduknya adalah logo rasmi baharu cawangan itu, dan tiada kaitan dengan program Jelajah Perikatan Nasional (PN).
Ops Lebih Muatan: JPJ keluar 126 notis saman, 13 kenderaan barangan dikenakan tindakan
Sebanyak 126 notis saman dikeluarkan JPJ Pulau Pinang terhadap pemandu kenderaan barangan menerusi Ops Khas Lebih Muatan di sekitar negeri ini.
AWANI Ringkas: Bas terbalik di Lebuh Raya Karak
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
Lelaki mengaku rogol, cabul anak kandung
Dia didakwa melakukan perbuatan itu di sebuah rumah di Kampung Seri Rahmat, Batu Gajah pada jam 10 hingga 12 malam, Februari lalu.
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.