Two cases of locally transmitted Zika virus infection in Singapore have been confirmed at Simon Place. Both cases are residents in the vicinity and from the same household. The Zika cluster was notified on Tuesday, 28 March 2017, and vector control operations are being carried out in the vicinity.
Residents and stakeholders are urged to maintain vigilance and continue to eliminate mosquito breeding habitats, as there could still be asymptomatic or mild, undiagnosed cases which might result in further transmission of the virus if there are mosquitoes in the vicinity.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) has commenced vector control operations since the afternoon of 28 March 2017, as well as outreach activities at the cluster. As of 29 March 2017, NEA has inspected about 120 premises out of about 400 premises in the Simon Place cluster to check for mosquito breeding, and also conducted ground checks in the vicinity. 10 breeding habitats – comprising seven in homes and three in common areas/other premises – have been detected and destroyed.
Indoor spraying of insecticides has also been carried out at the premises inspected. Thermal fogging and misting have also been carried out at the outdoor areas on 29 March 2017.
NEA officers and grassroots volunteers are continuing with the outreach efforts in the vicinity of Simon Place to distribute Zika information leaflets and insect repellents to households to raise general awareness of Zika, reiterate the need for source reduction to prevent mosquito breeding and advise residents to apply repellent as a precaution.
Residents are requested to allow NEA officers to carry out inspections and indoor spraying of their homes. Residents are reminded to practice the 5-step Mozzie Wipeout. NEA urges all residents and stakeholders to maintain vigilance and take immediate steps to eliminate mosquito breeding habitats.
Most people infected with the Zika virus do not develop symptoms, which heightens the risk of a Zika resurgence as it may take some time before a reintroduced Zika virus is detected. With the presence of the Aedes mosquito vector here, everyone must therefore continue to maintain vigilance and play his part to prevent future localized transmission through eradicating mosquito breeding habitats in our neighborhoods.
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