Health authorities in Singapore warned Zika virus will spread in other parts of the city-state as cases reaches almost 260.
Sixteen new cases of Zika virus were recorded by health authorities in the city-state of Singapore, bringing the total cases to 258 on Monday.
Zika virus, according to studies, is responsible for the condition microcephaly, where babies are having unordinary small brains and small head, especially when pregnant women are bitten by the mosquito carrier.
Following the high number of Zika cases, the health authorities in Singapore released a warning that it is no longer contained in one part of the city-state and likely to spread further.
In a joint statement, the Ministry of Health and the National Environment Agency confirmed 16 new cases of Zika.
According to the agencies, four of the cases were not linked to existing cluster areas.
Most of the confirmed Zika cases have been concentrated around Aljunied and Paya Lebar.
Many of those initially infected were foreign workers on a condominium construction project, whom health authorities say are more suspectible because they live and work in one place.
“Over time, we expect Zika cases to emerge in more areas given the presence of the Aedes mosquitoes here,” the statement said.
“MOH and the NEA will therefore adjust our strategies to manage Zika in the same way that we deal with dengue.”
As we know, Zika is brought by the species of mosquito which carries dengue fever.
Dengue is endemic in tropical Singapore which sees high rainfall and humid weather, ideal mosquito-breeding conditions, despite them having extra caution against mosquitoes.
The health ministry also expressed it would no longer isolate patients because of its “limited effect”.
“As more cases emerge, there is evidence that there is transmission in the community with the presence of infected mosquitoes,” said the health ministry.
Authorities are conducting fogging operations as they are working to control the mosquito population in the affected areas and checking for breeding sites.
In order to motivate the people to clean their surroundings, those found with mosquito larvae in their homes can be fined up to Sg$5,000 ($3,700).
