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8 new Zika cases reported, potential cluster near Siglap

SINGAPORE — There were eight new cases of locally transmitted Zika infections recorded on Wednesday (Sept 7), with two cases linked to the Aljunied Crescent/Sims Drive/Kallang Way/Paya Lebar Way cluster, and one case linked to the potential Bishan Street 12 cluster that was discovered on Tuesday.

TODAY file photo.

TODAY file photo.

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SINGAPORE — There were eight new cases of locally transmitted Zika infections recorded on Wednesday (Sept 7), with two cases linked to the Aljunied Crescent/Sims Drive/Kallang Way/Paya Lebar Way cluster, and one case linked to the potential Bishan Street 12 cluster that was discovered on Tuesday. 

Another case among the eight is from a potential new cluster in the Elite Terrace area near Siglap, taking into account a previously reported case there. 

The remaining four cases have no known links to any existing cluster, the Health Ministry and the National Environment Agency (NEA) said in an update on Wednesday.

This brings the total number of confirmed cases here to 283. 

Apart from carrying out vector control operations and outreach efforts at Elite Terrace, the NEA will continue to do the same at existing cluster areas, including Bishan Street 12. 

As of Tuesday, 150 breeding habitats have been found and destroyed in these known cluster areas — 99 in homes, 51 in outdoor areas, the agency said.

It added that members of the public may now get figures on reported cases and locations of Zika clusters on its website, which will be updated daily when cases are notified.  

On Wednesday, Malaysia reported its first case: A 27-year-old pregnant woman infected with Zika, whose husband works in Singapore.

News agencies quoted Malaysia’s Health Minister Subramaniam Sathasivam as saying that it was still unclear whether the woman contracted it from her husband or it was locally transmitted.

The woman, who lives in Johor Baru, is three- to four-months’ pregnant and is undergoing tests in hospital, he added. Her husband, who showed symptoms of Zika, is also undergoing tests.

There is a low risk of babies having microcephaly (born with a small head) and other abnormalities when their mothers have been diagnosed with Zika.

Dr Subramaniam said at a press conference that Malaysia was expecting to see more cases in Johor Baru because of its proximity to Singapore, and there are about 200,000 Malaysians who commute daily between the two places.

The quarantine bureau in China announced on Wednesday that it would offer Zika health screenings for travellers from Singapore and other affected countries. However, it is not known if the screenings would be compulsory, Reuters reported.

Travellers from Singapore and other affected countries who show Zika symptoms should report to quarantine officials when entering China, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said in a statement posted on its website.

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