SINGAPORE: The number of cases of the mosquito-borne Zika virus in Singapore reached 258 Monday, with health authorities warning it is no longer contained in one part of the city-state and likely to spread further.
In a joint statement, the Ministry of Health and the National Environment Agency confirmed 16 new cases, four of which were not linked to existing cluster areas.
“Over time, we expect Zika cases to emerge in more areas given the presence of the Aedes mosquitoes here,” the statement said.
Zika is spread by the Aedes mosquito, which also spreads dengue fever.
“MOH and the National Environment Agency (NEA) will therefore adjust our strategies to manage Zika in the same way that we deal with dengue.”
Despite having one of the highest standards of healthcare in Asia, dengue is endemic in tropical Singapore which sees high rainfall and humid weather, ideal mosquito-breeding conditions.
Most of the confirmed Zika cases have been centred around the adjacent suburbs of Aljunied and Paya Lebar.
Many of those initially infected were foreign workers on a condominium construction project, whom health authorities say are more suspectible because they live and work in close proximity.
The health ministry also said Monday it would no longer isolate patients because of its “limited effect”.
