Zika outbreak: All-out effort to protect mums-to-be
Published 6 hours ago
MP Tin Pei Ling compiling list of pregnant women in constituency
Priscilla Goy
MacPherson MP Tin Pei Ling is drawing up a list of pregnant women in her constituency to keep them “updated and assured” about the Zika situation, after a female resident became the first known locally transmitted Zika case.
Ms Tin also responded within minutes after a pregnant woman living near Aljunied Crescent posted on Facebook that she was “starting to freak out” after hearing about the outbreak.
Ms Samantha Ng wrote: “I’m staying in the MacPherson area and currently in my last trimester. Hopefully (I) will be safe and good.”
Within minutes, Ms Tin asked Ms Ng to send her a private message to let her know where she lives.
On Saturday, it was revealed that a 47-year-old woman living in Aljunied Crescent was the first locally transmitted case of Zika. The area is part of MacPherson constituency.
People who tested positive
The Health Ministry yesterday confirmed 41 cases of locally transmitted Zika. They are:
• A 47-year-old Malaysian woman who developed fever, rash and conjunctivitis from last Thursday. She was referred to the Communicable Diseases Centre (CDC) at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, where she tested positive for Zika on Saturday. She has since been warded for observation at CDC.
• 36 foreigners from a worksite of Sims Urban Oasis, a condominium at 60 Sims Drive. Seven of them are warded at CDC; the rest have fully recovered.
• A 30-year-old Singaporean man who works at the same construction site and lives in Sembawang Drive. He developed symptoms since Aug 22, and was warded at CDC on Saturday.
• A Singaporean man and his son who live at Block 62 Sims Drive. The father is a retiree aged 65, and his son, 21, is a full-time national serviceman from Khatib Camp. They developed symptoms from Aug 23 and Aug 21 respectively, and were warded at CDC on Saturday.
• A 44-year-old unemployed Singaporean man who lives at Block 54 Sims Drive. He developed symptoms on Aug 23 and is now warded at CDC.
She is the only Zika patient living in Aljunied Crescent among all 41 reported cases of locally transmitted Zika, Ms Tin wrote on Facebook as she assured residents who were concerned about the situation.
While Zika is mild for most, it can be fatal for unborn children. Infected pregnant women could also give birth to babies with small heads - a condition known as microcephaly - and other brain defects.
Ms Tin said she and grassroots leaders are keeping a list of pregnant women as they walk around MacPherson to give out leaflets and insect repellent, and urge people to keep their premises mosquito-free.
They have been knocking on doors at five Housing Board blocks since Saturday night and also visited a food centre at 117, Aljunied Avenue 2 yesterday. Ms Tin said: “We are actively looking out for pregnant women, taking down their particulars so we can follow up with them on a regular basis - to share with them information about Zika, so they are kept updated and assured.”
There were at least 10 names on the list yesterday, and grassroots leaders will visit them again on Wednesday to check on them.
“We’ve asked (the pregnant women) to watch out for possible symptoms and seek medical attention if anything arises,” said Ms Tin, who gave birth to her first child last year.
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Impact of Zika virus on unborn babies
Published 6 hours ago
Q: Who is at greatest risk?
A: Unborn babies are the most at risk should their mothers become infected with the Zika virus.
Between 1 per cent and 10 per cent of women infected during pregnancy give birth to babies with defects. The most common defect is microcephaly, where the baby is born with a much smaller head, sloping forehead and damaged brain.
Q: Is the baby at risk throughout the pregnancy?
A: Associate Professor Arijit Biswas, head of obstetrics and gynaecology at the National University Hospital, said the risk is highest during the first trimester and the early part of the second trimester of pregnancy.
Though the risk is lower in the third trimester, the virus could still cause fatal outcomes such as stillbirth.
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No attempts to cover up Zika cases: Chee Hong Tat
Posted 29 Aug 2016 01:05
SINGAPORE: Minister of State for Health Chee Hong Tat late Sunday (Aug 28) rejected suggestions that there have been attempts to cover up Zika cases in Singapore.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) and National Environment Agency (NEA) had announced earlier Sunday that there were a total of 41 cases of locally transmitted Zika in the Aljunied Crescent/Sims Drive area, up from one case the day before.
Mr Chee noted on Facebook that some people have been wondering about the jump in the number of cases. “A few even asked if there had been attempts to cover up these cases. This is certainly not true,” he wrote.
Mr Chee, who is also Minister of State for Communications and Information, referred to the timeline of events outlined by MOH and NEA. Following confirmation from the Communicable Disease Centre that a 47-year-old woman living in Aljunied Crescent was infected with Zika in Singapore, tests were conducted on 123 people who were recently or currently symptomatic, MOH and NEA said.
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Zika outbreak: 4 more suspected cases at another Sims Drive clinic
TJ Medical and Surgery clinic at Blk 48, Sims Place, is across the road from Sims Drive Medical Clinic, where the initial case of the Zika virus originated.
Published 1 hour ago
Joanna Seow
SINGAPORE - Four more suspected cases of Zika have been sent to the Communicable Disease Centre (CDC) at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, by another Sims Drive clinic on Monday (Aug 29).
They include three women, aged 32, 26 and 24, none of whom are pregnant. The last is a 44-year-old man.
All of them are Singaporean.
The cases were sent by TJ Medical and Surgery clinic at Blk 48, Sims Place, which is across the road from Sims Drive Medical Clinic where the initial case of the Zika virus originated.
Dr Tan Thai Keng of TJ Medical & Surgery told The Straits Times he had sent the four to CDC for confirmation, after they developed fever and rashes, “and a bit of joint pain, which is another symptom of viral infection”.
The patients had gone to him earlier on Monday.
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NEA, MOH step up fight as Zika cases rise to 56
Published 4 hours ago
Officials fan out across outbreak cluster and beyond as total number of infections hits 56
Salma Khalik
Senior Health Correspondent
Fabian Koh
The authorities stepped up efforts to contain the Zika virus yesterday even as 15 new cases surfaced.
This brings the total number of people who have been locally infected to 56 - and more are likely to be uncovered, warn the authorities.
National Environment Agency (NEA) officials fogged, misted and sprayed the cluster of Aljunied Crescent and Sims Drive, where the outbreak has taken place.
They inspected over half the 6,000 premises and destroyed 36 mosquito breeding habitats - 22 in homes and 14 in common areas and other spots. NEA has also inspected more than 900 premises at Sembawang Drive, and detected and destroyed one breeding site in a residence in that area.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health (MOH) is advising mothers- to-be to avoid areas with “local transmission” of the virus, according to its website.
Dr Chi Wei Ming (left) and Dr Lim Chien Chuan and their colleagues are used to discussing cases with one another. It was this habit that helped uncover the outbreak in Singapore.
The mosquito-borne viral infection is generally mild, except for its effect on unborn babies. It can cause brain damage in a small number of babies if the mother is infected during pregnancy, especially in the early months.
One mother-to-be is not taking any chances. Yesterday, 28-year- old housewife Sherynn Ellyadi, who is 38 weeks pregnant, moved out of her flat in Block 54, Sims Drive, where she lived with her mother and five children, her mother Lela Noordin, 60, told The Straits Times. Ms Sherynn has moved to her in-laws’ home in Woodlands.
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Rise in Zika cases: How pregnant women can avoid infection
Several women’s clinics, such as The Women’s Specialist (above) in Aljunied, have reported more calls than usual as people sought information on Zika. On social media sites, some expectant mothers living in the affected area of Aljunied Crescent/Sims Drive wondered if they should move out temporarily.
Published 4 hours ago
Cover up, apply mozzie repellent, say doctors and MOH, as women seek advice from clinics, online
Rachel Oh
Priscilla Goy
Wear long-sleeved clothing, use mosquito repellent, sleep in air- conditioned rooms and reconsider travel plans to areas with local transmission of the Zika virus.
That was the advice doctors and the Ministry of Health (MOH) had for pregnant women as concerns grew over the spread of the Aedes mosquito-borne virus.
While mild for most, Zika can be dangerous for unborn children. Around 1 per cent to 13 per cent of women infected while pregnant could give birth to babies with small heads - a condition known as microcephaly - and other brain defects.
On social media sites and online forums, some expectant mothers living in the affected area of Aljunied Crescent/Sims Drive wondered if they should move out temporarily.
Others asked if they needed to be tested for Zika regularly after the MOH confirmed 41 locally transmitted cases on Sunday.
One thing in common, however, was the use of mosquito repellents and patches - with many debating the effectiveness of different brands.
TAKING PRECAUTIONS
Of course I’m concerned. I’m taking precautions but I don’t know if it’s enough. We can use mosquito patches, but maybe the mosquitoes are already immune to the smell.
MS ALINA AZIZ, a 28-year-old who is eight months pregnant.
Mrs Michelle Tan is currently eight months into her pregnancy. She lives in Shunfu Road in Thomson, outside the affected area.
But the 33-year-old, who works in the banking industry, said: “I’m not too sure what the full facts are. I’m just putting on mosquito patches and using repellent on my arms and legs.”
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Australia issues travel update on Singapore over Zika fears
Posted 30 Aug 2016 08:23
SINGAPORE: Australia has issued a travel update urging its citizens to protect themselves from mosquito bites when travelling to Singapore, citing fears of the Zika virus.
With the “ongoing transmission of Zika virus” in Singapore, travellers to the city-state should take additional measures advised by health authorities, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in an update on its website on Monday (Aug 29).
For women, this includes “deferring non-essential travel if pregnant, avoiding pregnancy for two months following your return”, the website said.
The UK government has also advised women who are pregnant or planning to conceive to discuss their travel plans with their doctor before travelling to Singapore.
On Monday, Taiwan’s Centre for Disease Control raised the travel notice level for Singapore to Level 2 for the Zika virus. It also advised pregnant women not to travel to the city-state and other travellers to take precautions against mosquito bites.
Singapore reported its first case of locally transmitted Zika last Saturday. It has since confirmed another 55 cases, and authorities have warned of more likely positive cases.
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Taiwan raises Zika travel notice for Singapore
Posted 29 Aug 2016 13:13
TAIPEI: Taiwan’s Centre for Disease Control (CDC) on Monday (Aug 29) raised the travel notice level for Singapore to Level 2 for the Zika virus. The CDC also advised pregnant women not to travel to the Southeast Asian city-state.
In a statement, the CDC also advised travellers to Singapore to take precautionary measures against mosquitoes.
Under the CDC’s three-tier system, a Level 1 travel warning urges vigilance and health precautions, while Level 2 calls for a high degree of caution and strong protective measures, and Level 3 advises against travel to or from a specified destination.
The move by the Taiwanese authorities comes a day after Singapore reported there were 41 cases of locally transmitted Zika.
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How Zika got here could remain a mystery, say experts
By
Tan Weizhen
Published: 10:18 PM, August 29, 2016
Updated: 7:42 AM, August 30, 2016
SINGAPORE — Exactly how the Zika virus found its way to Singapore and triggered a local outbreak could remain a mystery, experts say, given that existing tests are unreliable for infections that are more than two weeks old.
Nonetheless, the infectious diseases experts whom TODAY spoke to believe that Patient Zero — or the source of the outbreak — was likely to have been infected with the virus overseas and brought it back to the country — specifically to the Aljunied Crescent and Sims Drive area where a cluster has emerged.
A mosquito could have bitten the person, got infected, and then transmitted the virus to other people. While transmission is possible through sexual intercourse, it is a less common means of infection.
Associate Professor Hsu Li Yang, programme leader of the antimicrobial resistance programme at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, said: “If a compatible mosquito bites someone who has the virus in his or her blood, the mosquito becomes infected. After about a week, the virus can be detected in the mosquito’s saliva, and the mosquito can then infect all the other people that it bites.”
“If these other infected people are bitten by other mosquitoes during the days when the virus is circulating in their blood (which is usually three to 12 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito), the virus will be passed to these mosquitoes, and the cycle of infection will continue,” he said.
On the sexual transmission of Zika, Prof Hsu noted that based on reported cases, the virus can remain in semen for more than six weeks. “Almost all cases of Zika sexual transmission — with one exception — have been from men to women,” he said.
Prior to the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) announcement over the weekend that Singapore has discovered dozens of cases of locally transmitted Zika infection, a 48-year-old man who travelled to Brazil was diagnosed in May as the Republic’s first Zika patient. The Singapore permanent resident made a full recovery and tested negative for Zika before he was discharged. His family members also had not reported any symptoms of the mosquito-borne disease.
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MOH tightens checks as 15 more Zika cases confirmed
GPs told to send all suspected cases by ambulance to CDC for blood and urine tests
By
Kelly Ng
Valerie Koh
AND
Tan Weizhen
Published: 11:57 PM, August 29, 2016
Updated: 7:36 AM, August 30, 2016
SINGAPORE — As the number of confirmed Zika cases continues to climb, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has tightened reporting protocol for general practitioners (GPs) by requiring suspected cases of infections to be sent by ambulance to the Communicable Diseases Centre (CDC) for further tests.
Adding to the 41 cases made public over the weekend, the MOH said that as of noon on Monday (Aug 29), 15 more cases of locally transmitted Zika virus infection have been confirmed. The figure is expected to rise further: At least two patients contacted by TODAY said they tested positive for the Zika virus later in the day.
Among the new confirmed cases reported by the MOH on Monday, two were workers at a construction site at 60 Sims Drive — identified as one of the hotspots — who have since recovered. The remaining 13 either live or work in the Aljunied Crescent-Sims Drive area, said the ministry.
GPs around the island received a circular from the MOH on Saturday afternoon — a few hours before the first locally transmitted case was announced by the ministry in the evening — stating that suspected cases be sent to the CDC for blood and urine tests via ambulances dispatched by the MOH. The circular described suspected cases as patients who have fever, skin rash, joint and muscle pains, headaches or red eyes, and had been in the vicinity of the Aljunied Crescent-Sims Drive area.
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