Zika: Seek doctor's advice if you want to conceive - Health Minister

Women who are pregnant and those who wish to conceive should consult their doctor on the Zika virus and its dangers, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam advised.

He said they should also seek advice on the right time to conceive, following the spread of the virus in the country and neighbouring Singapore.

Dr Subramaniam cautioned that the virus might have spread into the country, especially in Johor Bahru where there was a flow of daily commute to and from Singapore.

The republic has reported more than 240 Zika cases since the first locally-infected case was detected on Aug 27.

"We have to assume that the virus is already present in Johor. Although we do not see any confirmed cases yet, but the situation, the location of Johor Bahru and the amount of people who travel to Singapore coupled with the increasing number of cases in the republic, there are chances that the virus has spread," he said.

"Maybe some people have been infected but we do not know because 80 percent of the time the symptoms don't show," he said.

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Dr Subramaniam said to those who wished to conceive, it would be best to consult their doctors and follow their advice.

He said doctor's advice was crucial as the test for the virus did not only comprise blood test; it required many follow-ups.

Dr Subramaniam said the ministry has also discussed with all government and private sector doctors on the precautionary measures and steps to be taken when a patient comes in with Zika.

Symptoms of the Zika infection include fever, body aches, rashes and conjunctivitis.