Malaysian confirmed to be first locally transmitted Zika virus patient in Singapore

The Workers’ Party notes with concern the confirmation of 41 cases of locally transmitted Zika virus infection.

Thirty-six of those infected are workers on a construction site in the neighborhood.

Singapore in May reported the first imported case of Zika virus infection – a 48-year-old male Singapore resident who had travelled to Sao Paulo in Brazil earlier in the year.

Besides, three other people have also tested positive in the preliminary round of screening but need to undergo further tests before the virus is confirmed, reported Reuters.

U.S. health officials have concluded that Zika infections inpregnant women can cause microcephaly, a birth defect marked bysmall head size that can lead to severe developmental problems.

“I urge pregnant ladies to monitor your health especially carefully, as Zika can affect the development of an unborn child”.

Singapore’s National Environment Agency has deployed more than 200 workers to the affected areas, where they are spraying insecticide and cleaning drains.

Authorities across Asia are on Zika alert.

“This confirms that local transmission of Zika virus infection has taken place”, the ministry said.

The Aedes aegypti mosquito is responsible for spreading the virus.

“We expect to identify more positive cases”, the joint statement said on Sunday.

None of those confirmed to have the virus have travelled to Zika-affected areas recently.

The virus has been spreading across Latin American countries since the start of this year.

Local resident Janice, 31, told Reuters she was glad to see action being taken. Doctors are recommended to refer any suspected Zika cases to the Communicable Diseases Center, Yahoo News reports.

“Therefore, we have increased the monitoring and have placed paramedics at the two main entrances to ensure that the necessary measures can be carried out on visitors who show signs of being infected by the Zika virus”, he said. Arthur Caplan, a bioethicist at New York University, mentions the issue of transmission of the virus sexually since the virus can stay in a man’s semen for months without showing any symptoms.

The WHO has said there is strong scientific consensus that Zika can also cause Guillain-Barre, a rare neurological syndrome that causes temporary paralysis in adults.