Singapore should brace for long-term battle with Zika - experts
Posted 05 Sep 2016 18:33
SINGAPORE: Wealthy Singapore has the funds and expertise to fight Zika, but its warm, wet climate and one of the world’s most densely packed populations mean the mosquito-borne virus may be controlled but not eradicated, at least for years, infectious disease experts say.
The tropical city-state, a major global financial and transit hub, is the only known place in Asia with active Zika transmission, according to the U.S. Centres for Disease and Prevention.
So far, the virus has been detected in 189 people since the first locally transmitted infection was reported six days ago, and the areas from where they have been reported are spreading.
In his first public remarks on the outbreak, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Thursday: “We must assume that Zika is elsewhere in Singapore.”
Zika can cause serious birth defects when pregnant women are infected, a link discovered last year with the virus’s arrival in Brazil, where its impact has been greatest so far. It is primarily spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito which also carries dengue, a potentially fatal virus that Singapore authorities have been battling for decades.
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Fighting Zika: Which mosquito repellent to use
Published 5 hours ago
Ward off the pesky bloodsuckers with insect repellent and keep Zika at bay
Ng Wan Ching
Mind and Body Editor
Mosquito repellents are an important feature in the fight against zika.
But which one to choose? And what is the best way to apply it?
Pharmacists here recommend products containing Deet, a chemical compound with a proven safety track record, which has been used for decades. It is highly effective against mosquitoes and also biting flies, fleas and ticks.
Most repellents pose few side effects if used according to instruct- ions, said Ms Clara Lin, a pharmacist with Watsons Singapore.
DO
•Read the directions on label.
•Use just enough repellent to cover exposed skin.
•Apply sparingly around ears.
•Stop using the repellent if it causes skin reaction.
••Stick patches onto clothes or to an article close to you.
DON’T
•Spray in enclosed areas or near food.
•Apply over cuts, wounds or irritated skin.
••Spray directly onto the face.
•Apply to eyes and mouth.
•Use Deet with sunscreen as it may make the sun protection factor (SPF) less effective. Apply sunscreen first and apply the repellent 15 minutes later.
•Apply the patch directly onto the skin.
• Apply to your child’s hands as it is likely to make contact with his eyes or mouth.
A newer compound, Picaridin, has been found to be as effective as Deet in protecting against mosquitoes.
Generally, when these are used as directed, they have proven to be safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women, said Ms Zoe Kong, principal pharmacist at National University Hospital.
The benefits of preventing mosquito bites far outweigh the risk of getting the Zika virus transmitted from bites, said Ms Lin.
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Employers go the extra mile for pregnant staff
Published 5 hours ago
Olivia Ho
In the wake of the Zika outbreak, some employers are taking steps to safeguard their staff, especially pregnant ones.
The Ministry of Education for instance, in addition to advising pregnant teachers to take precautionary measures against mosquito bites, said schools are reviewing outdoor activities for them.
Some firms are allowing their employees to work from home to cut down on their exposure to mosquitoes during travel.
Senior human resource consultant Roxanne Lu took up this offer from accounting firm 3E.
“It helps a lot because I feel less exposed as I don’t have to travel to and from work. I can also rest a bit at home,” said the 30-year-old, who is seven months pregnant.
She mostly works over e-mail while at home. But given that the virus seems to be settling in for the long run, she said she may consider returning to the office during peak periods so she can have face-to-face discussions with her colleagues.
The firm also installed mosquito traps in its office yesterday.
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Are fogging and mosquito patches effective?
Published 5 hours ago
Q How effective is thermal fogging?
A Thermal fogging is conducted using a device that vaporises a special insecticide, spreading it over a large area. The chemical kills adult mosquitoes, and it works really well in this department.
However, it has its limitations.
The fog remains in the air for only about 10 minutes. Mosquitoes that fly into the area after the fog has dispersed will not be affected as much.
Fogging just a single area might also result in chasing mosquitoes to another location. That is why it has to be properly planned.
As thermal fogging uses insecticide, it could also harm other insects such as moths and flies. But it is safe for humans and unlikely to harm animals such as birds and cats.
Importantly, fogging has to be complemented with public efforts to prevent mosquitoes from breeding, by eliminating stagnant water, and not littering, for instance.
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Subsidised Zika test for those who meet criteria
Published 5 hours ago
Free testing for pregnant women who show symptoms extended to private patients
Salma Khalik
Senior Health Correspondent
Singaporeans across the island who show clear signs of a Zika infection will from tomorrow be able to test if they have the virus at a subsidised rate of $60.
Tests, however, will remain free for pregnant women who show symptoms or have a male partner infected with the Aedes mosquito-borne virus. This has been extended to private patients, the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced yesterday.
It will also no longer hospitalise those with Zika or isolate them while waiting to see if they are infected.
Instead, patients can return home to wait for their test results, and will be given advice on protecting themselves from mosquito bites. Those who test positive will be hospitalised only if their doctor thinks it necessary.
A doctor’s referral is needed to qualify for free testing or a subsidised rate.
Explaining why the authorities are adjusting their strategy, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong told Channel NewsAsia that the Government is working on the basis that Zika is being transmitted outside the current clusters in parts of Aljunied, Bedok and Joo Seng.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
sadfa
Please la. Not workable la.
Even if the pest control companies do it full time n activate all sporeans, they won’t kill all the mosquitoes.
Even if all these companies are paid to go catch rats full time n rats are thousands of times bigger than mosquitoes, still CANNOT kill all n make rats extinct. Much less mosquitoes. In human history, many animals are made extinct by mankind but not as small as an insect.
Maybe they set some atmospheric bomb that can kill all mosquitoes all over the world can la. But spore can’t do that la.
There must be hundreds of thousands of mosquitoes. No one wants mosquitoes but killing using conventional methods will fail la.
Please lah if you don’t start decreasing the population of Aedes mosquitos the Zika and dengue cases will likely to increase . Dengue is more deadly than Zika . As say in my previous posts Singapore is small . Not big like Malaysia or Indonesia . Even if can’t kill all the mosquitos at least can decrease their population is a big help already . We don’t like to see anyone get sick over Zika or dengue irregardless if you are foreigner or a local .
Quote:
Originally Posted by
samster101
I like this. Can’t control its spread so they start a new story. Zika harmless. LoL?
If patients are allowed to stay at home and what if it spreads to their family members or their surrounding area . Will Mr Gan and Ms Amy Khor take full responsibility ?
If hospital not enough beds just say so .
FairPrice urges customers not to stock up on anti-mosquito products
Published 1 hour ago
Zhaki Abdullah
SINGAPORE - Singapore’s largest supermarket chain has urged its customers not to stock up on anti-mosquito products and to buy only what they need.
“We want to assure the community that additional stocks of anti-mosquito products are being sent to our stores and we will keep prices stable,” said NTUC FairPrice chief executive officer Seah Kian Peng on Tuesday (Sept 6).
“There is no need to stock up as we will continue to bring in more supplies and we urge customers to only buy what they need so that as many households may have access to these products for their personal use,” he added.
The supermarket chain, which has 130 stores here, said last Friday that anti- mosquito products were out of stock at its stores following the rise in Zika cases.
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Zika outbreak: 17 new cases; potential new cluster in Bishan
Published 13 min ago
Updated 2 min ago
Shea Driscoll
SINGAPORE - There are 17 new cases of Zika in Singapore as of noon on Tuesday (Sept 6), the Health Ministry (MOH) and National Environment Agency (NEA) have confirmed, as a potential new cluster emerged in Bishan.
Of the new cases, 10 are linked to the Aljunied Crescent, Sims Drive, Paya Lebar Way and Kallang Way cluster, Singapore’s biggest.
One new patient lives in the Bishan Street 12 area, where a previously-reported case also lives. The area is a potential new cluster, the MOH and NEA said in an update on Tuesday evening.
The other six cases have no known links to any existing cluster.
The total number of locally-transmitted Zika cases stands at 275 as of Tuesday.
Sixteen had been reported on Monday, 11 fewer than Sunday’s 27.
In its vector control update, the NEA said that it has been continuing operations in the Aljunied Crescent, Sims Drive, Paya Lebar Way and Kallang Way cluster, which accounts for more than 200 of the current cases.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
goldie9660
Have any bros drove in to JB recently? Want to hear some feedbacks about the spraying of the mosquito insecticide on the vehicle.
If you guys find it inconvenient going to Malaysia then don’t go . Malaysia got the right to do what it wants within its own borders.
ASEAN should prepare for possibly extended campaign against Zika: PM Lee
By Justin Ong
Posted 06 Sep 2016 17:36
Updated 06 Sep 2016 17:42
VIENTIANE, Laos: Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Tuesday (Sep 6) urged the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) to join hands in fighting a possibly extended campaign against the Zika virus.
Speaking at the 28th ASEAN Summit plenary in Laos, Mr Lee said that Singapore has immediately stepped up measures since the number of locally transmitted cases jumped in just over a week to 258 as of Sep 5.
“It is imperative for us to work together to combat Zika, but we should put Zika in the proper context,” said Mr Lee. “Given the presence of the Aedes mosquito, Zika may become endemic in our region, just like dengue.”
“We should prepare ourselves for a possibly extended campaign against Zika but ensure that the region remains open and connected for business and trade.”
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