Zika outbreak: Singapore steps up prevention as cases rise to 56

All the cases were in or near the Aljunied area in thesoutheast of the city-state, and most were foreign workers froma nearby construction site owned by GuocoLand, wheretesting for the virus is now complete, the health ministry saidin a statement.

• Locally transmitted Zika virus infects 41 in Singapore
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Singapore, a major regional financial centre and busytransit hub, which maintains a constant vigil against themosquito-borne dengue virus, reported its first Zika case inMay, imported by a middle-aged man who had been to Brazil.

One of the cases discovered on Sunday involved a Singaporeanman who works at the GuocoLand site but who lives outside theAljunied area. The NEA inspected more than 900 premises aroundhis home on Monday.

One local pharmacy worker said she ran out of mosquitorepellent, and was concerned about delays in getting freshsupplies.

'I feel afraid'

The Zika virus, carried by mosquitoes, was detected inBrazil last year and has since spread across the Americas.

Zikacauses only a mildillness in most people. But infection during pregnancy can lead tosevere brain-related birth defects.It has been linked in Brazil to more than1,600 cases of microcephaly, where babies are born withabnormally small heads and brains.

Singapore's health ministry said around three dozen mosquitobreeding habitats had been destroyed so far in the main Aljuniedcluster.

Authorities have urged those living and working in the riskareas, especially pregnant women, to monitor their health andseek medical attention if they are unwell.

Regional health experts said the Zika virus is likely to besignificantly under-reported across tropical Southeast Asia aslocal health authorities fail to conduct adequate screening.

Malaysia and Indonesia have stepped up protective measuresfollowing the Singapore outbreak, intensifying checks on peoplearriving from Singapore and introducing thermal scanners atairports and border checkpoints.