26 more confirmed Zika cases, 5 live or work in Kallang Way and Paya Lebar Way

SINGAPORE — There were 26 more cases of locally transmitted Zika virus infection in Singapore, as of noon on Tuesday (Aug 30), said the Ministry of Health (MOH) and National Environment Agency (NEA) in a joint release. This brings the total number of locally transmitted cases to 82.

Of the latest confirmed cases, 17 cases live or work in the Sims Drive/Aljunied Crescent area and five live or work in Kallang Way and Paya Lebar Way, north of Sims Drive/Aljunied, said the MOH and NEA. The remaining four cases are being investigated for their links to the affected area.

The NEA will start vector control operations and outreach efforts in Kallang Way and Paya Lebar Way, said the joint statement.

As of Monday, the NEA has inspected about 5,000 premises out of an estimated 6,000 premises in the Aljunied Crescent/Sims Drive cluster to check for mosquito breeding, and also conducted ground checks in the vicinity, said the joint statement. Thirty-nine breeding habitats — 23 in homes and 16 in common areas/other premises — were detected and destroyed. 

The NEA has also served notices on more than 400 inaccessible premises in the Aljunied Crescent/Sims Drive cluster, requiring owners to contact the NEA to arrange for an inspection or the NEA will proceed with forced entry.

“NEA has also inspected the on-site workers quarters at the construction site at Sims Drive. The Stop Work Order on the construction site at Sims Drive is still in force,” said the statement.

Over the last 24 hours, 111 people tested negative for the virus.