Zika outbreak: 17 new cases; potential new cluster in Bishan

MOH and NEA reported 17 new cases of Zika in Singapore as of noon on Sept 6, 2016, and identified a potential new cluster in Bishan. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

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.

It has also expanded its efforts to the periphery of the cluster, at Circuit Road, Geylang East Central and Geylang East Avenue 1.

As of Monday (Sept 5), 65 breeding habitats - 38 in homes and 27 in common areas or other premises - have been detected and destroyed.

In Bedok North Avenue, another cluster, 67 breeding habitats have been detected and destroyed. Fifty-six were in homes, while 11 were in common areas or other premises.

Two instances of breeding in common areas or other premises have been found and destroyed at Joo Seng Road.

The newest potential cluster will get the same treatment. "NEA will be carrying out vector control operations and outreach efforts at Bishan Street 12," the agency said.

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