38 new local Zika virus cases confirmed in Singapore

The Ministry of Health (MOH) and National Environment Agency (NEA) says the total number cases has reached up to 189 in Singapore.

Singapore Zika virus cases reach up to 189 with 38 newly confirmed cases on Friday which are transmitted locally.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) and National Environment Agency (NEA) said in a joint statement that 34 out of the 38 new cases are linked to the Aljunied Crescent/Sims Drive/Kallang Way/Paya Lebar Way cluster.

The statement also added that the other four cases were not linked to any of the existing clusters.

NEA said it is still continuing with the vector control operations to control the Aedes mosquito population in Aljunied Crescent, Sims Drive, Kallang Way and Paya Lebar Way as the vector control remains the key solution to reduce the spread of the Zika virus.

Initially, NEA said it has already taken steps to monitor the situation. The agency inspected almost 5,000 premises out of an estimated 6,000 premises in the Aljunied Crescent/Sims Drive cluster and conducted ground checks in the vicinity.

The agency detected and destroyed almost 55 breeding habitats. They are also continuing with indoor spraying of insecticides, outdoor fogging and the oiling and flushing of drains.

It also said that this is similar to its approach to dengue cases and urged the public to be very careful.

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