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    Singapore reports first Zika case since March 2020

    ANN/CNA – Singapore has reported its first Zika case since March 2020.

    The case was reported during the week of August 21 to 27 this year, according to the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) latest weekly infectious diseases bulletin.

    National Environment Agency (NEA) data showed that 666 dengue cases were also reported during the same week.

    Zika virus infection is primarily transmitted by the Aedes mosquito, similar to dengue. There were 194 active dengue clusters in Singapore as of August 29 this year.

    The NEA website also showed that 75 dengue clusters are currently identified as “red”, indicating that each cluster has 10 or more cases.

    There is presently no active Zika cluster as of Friday.

    The Aedes aegypti mosquito population, which is the primary dengue vector, remained high in Singapore in July this year.

    “The high Aedes aegypti mosquito population, together with circulation of the previously uncommon DENV-3, will likely lead to dengue case numbers remaining high in the coming months,” said the agency.

    According to the MOH website, only about one in five Zika infections are symptomatic.

    “Zika is generally a mild and self-limiting illness. Although rare, serious neurological complications and foetal abnormalities have been associated with Zika virus infection,” said the ministry, adding that there is no vaccine or specific anti-viral drugs for the virus.

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