Singapore’s National Environment Agency has sent some 200 officers to inspect and destroy potential mosquito breeding sites after confirming 41 cases of locally transmitted Zika virus.
The local government revealed over the weekend that 40 foreign workers had been infected with the virus while working at a construction site. The report came a day after confirming the destination’s first locally transmitted case in a 47-year-old female resident.
A joint statement from the Ministry of Health and the National Environment Agency said those infected are “not known to have travelled to Zika-affected areas recently” and are “likely to have been infected in Singapore”, ABC News reported.
“This confirms that local transmission of Zika virus infection has taken place.”
Singapore’s Ministry of Health and the National Environment Agency
So far, cases of locally transmitted Zika appear to be contained within the Aljunied Crescent and Sims Drive area, however, the Health Ministry said it “cannot rule out further community transmission” as the virus is spread by Aedes mosquito.
Clinics and hospitals have been ordered to be “extra vigilant” with their patients and are required to report any symptoms in association with the virus.
Additionally, the National Environment Agency is on a mission to reduce further spread of the virus by deploying its officers to search and remove any potential breeding grounds.
A search of the construction site where 40 foreign workers were infected found one breeding site in the twelve on-site workers quarters and dorms.
