As Zika cases mount, Singapore PM calls for destroying mosquito breeding habitats

With 115 cases of Zika reported in the country so far, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Thursday that the best defence against Zika was to eradicate mosquitoes and destroy its breeding habitats.

"We must assume that Zika is elsewhere in Singapore too. Our best defence is to eradicate mosquitoes and destroy breeding habitats," he said in his Facebook post.

Lee urged all Singaporeans to do their parts to fight Zika, and dengue as well in his Facebook post, Xinhua news agency reported.

He also mentioned that scientists were still learning about this new disease, citing unobvious symptoms of Zika.

"For most people the disease is mild, and in fact often causes no symptoms at all. Pregnant women are at risk, as they are with other viral infections like dengue and chicken pox. Do take precautions and get tested if you show symptoms," Lee added.

A total of 115 cases have been reported in the country so far, according to a joint briefing of the Ministry of Health (MOH) and National Environment Agency on Wednesday. The first case of pregnant woman with Zika virus infection was also recorded in the city state.

The MOH confirmed on Thursday that among the Zika cases 57 were foreigners, including 13 Indian nationals. All the foreigners who tested positive for Zika in Singapore had "mild illness" and most have recovered.

--IANS

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