SINGAPORE – The authorities here have assured that it is possible to control local transmission of the Zika virus with intensified control operations and public cooperation, a day after the Republic saw its first imported case of the disease.

The Ministry of Health (MOH), which has been warning of the inevitability of Zika reaching Singapore since January, added that the emergence of a single case did not warrant the introduction of new measures, such as the imposition of travel restrictions to affected countries.

On Friday, the authorities announced that a man who travelled to Brazil between March 27 and May 7 had tested positive for the Zika virus. The man, who is recovering well, was transferred to the Communicable Diseases Centre at the Tan Tock Seng Hospital on Saturday morning. He will be treated and kept under isolation at the hospital until there are no traces of the virus in his body.

Meanwhile, vector control operations in Watten Estate – where the patient's residence – and its vicinity have been stepped up. The National Environment Agency (NEA) is expected to cover some 800 households in the area over the next two weeks, according to updates provided by the authorities on Saturday (May 14).

Nearby schools on the fringe of the coverage area – which include National Junior College and Raffles Girls’ Primary School – have also been notified by the Ministry of Education to conduct checks on their premises for mosquito breeding.

According to the MOH, the Aedes-borne Zika virus causes very mild symptoms compared to dengue. Only one in five show symptoms, and the remaining four in five may not even know they carry the virus. While this presents challenges for detecting cases of Zika infections, the MOH reiterated that Zika is a “self-limiting disease” in most cases.

The virus has caused worry over its impact on fetuses and infants. Infected pregnant women have given birth to babies with microcephaly - small heads and underdeveloped brains. But the MOH noted that the incidence of microcephaly among infected mothers is about one in 100 cases. (just to make it clearer)

And while the virus has also been linked to Guillain Barre Syndrome – a sickness of the nervous system - this is about one in 1,000 cases.

Preventing Zika from being “entrenched” here is the priority, MOH noted, adding that measures such as isolating confirmed cases and stepping up vector control are aimed at containing the spread of the virus.

The ministry also pointed out that the current measures are “over and above” what is necessary. For example, the Zika virus is not air-borne, but patients will be admitted into hospitals and isolated nonetheless as it minimises the risk of them being bitten by mosquitoes while they are carrying the virus, which may result in further transmission.

The authorities further noted that the Republic has been reasonably successful in containing local transmission of other mosquito-borne diseases like chikungunya, and it is possible to do the same for Zika. But this will require the cooperation of Singaporeans to do their part and prevent mosquitoes from breeding.

As of Friday night, the NEA had successfully entered 35 premises to check for mosquito breeding and conducted ground checks in the area around Watten Estate. Seven breeding habitats were detected and destroyed, of which four were in homes. The patient’s home was not one of these homes. (missing word)

The NEA had also reached out to 140 premises in the area to distribute flyers and insect repellent. Ultra-low volume misting on premises and thermal fogging in outdoor areas began on Saturday morning, and the NEA will also be increasing the frequency of drains flushing and oiling to stamp out breeding.

About 160 officers, contractor staff and volunteers were activated to conduct intensified vector control operations and outreach in the areas around the case’s residence on Saturday.

If premises remain inaccessible after notices have served, the NEA will enter by force to ensure any breeding sites are destroyed quickly.

The authorities also reiterated its advice to travellers visiting countries with local transmission, saying they should take steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites. 

Pregnant women are advised to put off non-essential travel to countries with active Zika outbreaks, which include the Latin American and Caribbean region – Brazil has the largest number of cases at over 1 million last year. 

Those who have travelled to affected areas should monitor their health for two weeks, and consult their doctors for testing of Zika if they develop any symptoms, such as fever, skin rashes, joint and muscle pains, headaches and red eyes.

The virus can also be spread by an infected man during sex. As such, men returning from areas with ongoing Zika outbreaks should practise safe sex, or consider abstaining from sex for at least four weeks after their return to Singapore, the authorities added.

The public can refer to the MOH’s webpage on Zika for more information:www.moh.gov.sg/zika