New potential Zika cluster in Bishan St 12 area as total cases hit 275

SINGAPORE — Seventeen new cases of Zika infections were confirmed on Tuesday (Sept 6) — bringing the total number of cases to 275 — as a potential new cluster emerged in the Bishan Street 12 area. In an update, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the National Environment Agency (NEA) said vector control operations will be carried out in the Bishan Street 12 area.

Ten of the 17 cases are linked to the Aljunied Crescent/Sims Drive/Kallang Way/Paya Lebar Way clusters, while six cases have no known links to any existing clusters. 

Of the two cases at the Bishan Street 12 area, one is a new case while the other was reported previously. 

Vector control operations and outreach efforts, which are continuing in Aljunied Crescent/Sims Drive/Paya Lebar Way/Kallang Way clusters, have been expanded to Circuit Road, Geylang East Central and Geylang East Avenue 1. 

As of Monday, 65 breeding habitats — 38 in homes and 27 in common areas/other premises — have been detected and destroyed. Vector control operations and outreach efforts are also ongoing at Bedok North Avenue and Joo Seng Road. 

Sixty-seven breeding habitats, comprising 56 in homes and 11 in common areas/other premises, have been detected and destroyed in Bedok North Avenue as of Monday. At Joo Seng Road, two instances of breeding in common areas/other premises have been detected and destroyed. 

“Aligned to our dengue control approach, NEA will continue to work with stakeholders and the community to reduce mosquito breeding, as vector control is key to reducing the transmission of Zika in the community,” the authorities said in a joint statement.

Separately, non-governmental organisation Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) called on the authorities to extend subsidised Zika testing to foreign workers.

On Monday, the MOH had announced subsidised tests for the virus for all Singaporeans and permanent residents. Patients who have Zika symptoms will pay a subsidised rate of S$60 at public healthcare institutions, while private patients or those who visit private clinics or hospitals pay the full S$150 fee.

TWC2 treasurer Alex Au said foreign workers are considered private patients, and S$150 “may be more than a week’s basic salary for some workers”.

Noting that 36 Zika cases involved foreign workers working at a construction site at 60 Sims Drive in the Aljunied Crescent-Sims Drive area, TWC2 added: “Foreign workers living in crowded or unsanitary conditions in dormitories and worksites may well be the most vulnerable to the mosquito-borne virus.”