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Singapore has first case of Zika virus

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The first imported case of Zika virus has been reported in Singapore.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) and National Environment Agency (NEA) were informed on Friday (May 13) of the case.

The patient is a 48-year-old male Singapore Permanent Resident who had travelled to Sao Paulo, Brazil, from March 27 to May 7.

The patient developed fever and rash from May 10 and was admitted to Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital on Wednesday (May 12) and isolated.

He was tested positive for Zika virus infection on Friday, MOH and NEA said in a joint press statement.

He will be transferred to the Communicable Diseases Centre at Tan Tock Seng Hospital for treatment and isolation to minimise the chances of being bitten by mosquitoes and spreading the infection in the community.

The patient is currently well and recovering. He will only be discharged upon being tested negative for the virus.

The patient's residence at Watten Estate is not an active dengue cluster, the statement said.

The NEA has intensified vector control operations to control the Aedes mosquito population in the areas around the case's residence.

NEA has redeployed additional officers from other areas to conduct the stepped up operations.

 

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