In a joint statement, Ministry of Health (MOH) and National Environment Agency (NEA) today reported Singapore’s first imported case of Zika.
The statement said: “The patient is a 48-year-old male Singapore Permanent Resident who had travelled to Sao Paulo, Brazil from Mar 27 to May 7. The patient developed fever and rash from May 10 and was admitted to Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital on May 12 and isolated.
“The patient tested positive for Zika virus infection on May 13. He will be transferred to the Communicable Diseases Centre at Tan Tock Seng Hospital for treatment and isolation to minimise the chances of being bitten by mosquitoes and spreading the infection in the community. The patient is currently well and recovering. He will only be discharged upon being tested negative for the Zika virus.”
MOH is screening the patient’s household members, and has advised that the patient’s residence at Watten Estate is not an active cluster.
NEA has intensified vector control operations to control the Aedes mosquito population in that area.
The statement also said that MOH and NEA would actively alert residents in the vicinity to seek medical attention should they develop symptoms of fever and rash.
MOH and NEA however cautioned: “We advise residents of Watten Estate, Hillcrest Arcadia, The Arcadia and Watten Hill Condominium to monitor their health.”
