Zika’s 82 cases emerge from Singapore’s commotion within a week

Zika virus is a member of the virus family Flaviviridae and the genus Flavivirus. It is spread by daytime-active Aedes mosquitoes, such as A. aegypti and A. albopictus. A local Zika virus commotion is rising in Singapore, as 82 cases of the disease without contact to travel have emerged on the island city-state within a week. The country’s first locally transmitted Zika case was announced on August 29, 2016(Saturday) when a 47-year-old Malaysian lady living in Aljunied Crescent tested positive for the virus. Since then, disease detectives used surveillance techniques to identify additional cases. A second cluster of cases appeared at a nearby construction site in Sims Drive, and health officials added a batch of 26 to the tally this evening. In response to the commotion, Singapore officials are conducting on-site investigation of construction workers’ quarters, distributing Zika information leaflets and providing retroactive testing. So far, officials have investigated 5,000 premises in the area for mosquito breeding grounds. Singapore’s outbreak has prompted a surge in demand for mosquito repellent. According to The Washington Post reports , Indonesia installed thermal scanners at its airports to check for people who might be showing symptoms of Zika, while Malaysia has implemented health checks on buses with Singapore commuters. Of the 82 cases, 36 involve foreign workers. Australia, Taiwan, South Korea and the United States are also advising pregnant women to avoid traveling to Singapore. Singapore reported its first travel-related case of Zika on May 13. Although, it is not clear if the local commotion was triggered by the same strain currently afflicting the Americas of the disease.