Zika scare: Potential cluster at Bedok North Ave 3 emerges – Number of confirmed cases rises to 115

The Ministry of Health (MOH) confirmed that the total number of Zika cases here has risen to 115. A total of 33 more locally transmitted Zika cases were reported as at 31 Aug. The Ministry further said that a potentially new cluster has been identified in the Bedok North Ave 3 area.

9 of the cases confirmed today were detected as a result of MOH’s look-back testing of previous cases. The remaining 24 were new cases. Among them, 22 are from the Aljunied Crescent/ Sims Drive/ Kallang Way/ Paya Lebar cluster.

One of the 22 is a pregant woman and she was diagnosed on Wednesday. The pregnant woman displayed mild symptoms of the virus and was taken to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Her doctor is following up closely with her to monitor her health as well as the development of the baby. She will be referred to a maternal-foetal medicine specialist for counselling and advice, MOH said. The woman lives with a household member who was also diagnosed as positive for Zika.

Two cases had no known links to the affected areas. One case lives at Joo Seng Road, and the other at Punggol Way. The potential cluster at Bedok North Avenue 3 area involves three previously reported cases.

MOH and the clinical advisory group on zika and pregnancy today also provided guidelines for pregnant women. See here: http://bit.ly/2bCsJ8c.