Singapore Records 56 Locally Transmitted Zika Cases, Expects More; SE Asian Countries Step Up Prevention Efforts

New York Times: Singapore Says It Expects More Zika Cases
“Singapore, which has confirmed several dozen cases of the Zika virus in recent days, expects to identify more previously undiagnosed infections as it steps up measures to halt the spread of the mosquito-borne disease, according to the government…” (Lim, 8/30).

Reuters: Singapore steps up Zika prevention effort as confirmed cases rise to 56
“Singapore confirmed 15 new cases of locally transmitted Zika infections on Monday, taking the tally to 56 as authorities step up efforts to contain the outbreak. … Singapore, a major regional financial center and busy transit hub, which maintains a constant vigil against the mosquito-borne dengue virus, reported its first Zika case in May, imported by a middle-aged man who had been to Brazil…” (Nee/Braddick, 8/29).

Reuters: Southeast Asia needs to up its game to combat Zika: experts
“The spread of the Zika virus across tropical Southeast Asia is likely to be significantly under-reported as local health authorities fail to conduct adequate screening, regional experts said on Monday…” (Lefevre/Sipalan, 8/29).

Wall Street Journal: Singapore Zika Virus Transmissions Rise to 56
“…The Singapore cases appear to be the largest single beachhead that the Zika virus has made in Asia during the current epidemic. The tropical island state is prone to other mosquito-borne diseases, notably dengue fever, which, like the Zika virus, is spread by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Health authorities warned earlier this year that Singapore could experience a record 30,000 cases of dengue fever this year…” (Venkat, 8/30).

Washington Post: Singapore Zika cases rise to 56 at one construction site; Malaysia starts border screening
“…The outbreak in the city-state of Singapore, a hub for Southeast Asia, has alarmed its neighbors. Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam have each seen a case of Zika and have been concerned that the infections might be spreading locally but have not been able to confirm whether that is the case. In the past 48 hours, Taiwan has issued a travel advisory for Singapore, and Malaysia ordered thermal screening at checkpoints for travelers who enter from Singapore by bus…” (Cha, 8/29).

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