Singapore closes largest Zika cluster

Singapore closed the largest local Zika cluster located at Aljunied Crescent/Sims Drive on Oct 9 after no new cases were reported there for two weeks.

In a statement issued on its website, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said it had continued to keep the area under close surveillance, and would continue to do so until Oct 31.

NEA said the surveillance period took into account the incubation period of the Zika virus, and lifespan of the Aedes mosquito.

The Zika cluster was the first and notified on Aug 27, with a total of 298 Zika cases reported.

Since the cluster was notified, NEA had conducted inspections in residential premises and outdoor areas, including common areas in the estate.

NEA said 128 mosquito breeding habitats - comprising 60 in homes and 68 in common areas/other premises - were detected and destroyed.

With the closure of the Aljunied Crescent Zika cluster, NEA said two active Zika clusters remained - Ubi Avenue 1 and Jalan Chengkak/Jalan Raya - which were recently notified on Oct 13 and Oct 17, respectively.

Additionally, sporadic cases continued to be reported in Singapore, indicating the presence of the Zika virus within the community, it said. -- Bernama