Zika Virus
The Ministry of Health (MOH), Singapore has been closely monitoring the Zika virus situation, and will be introducing several measures to enhance the surveillance of the disease and the protection of Singaporeans. We also urge all Singaporeans to take the appropriate precautions to prevent mosquito breeding as vector control is critical in preventing transmission and reducing the risk of the virus from taking root in Singapore.
List of Countries with Zika Virus Outbreak/ Ongoing Local Transmission
Zika virus infection in humans has been reported since the 1950s. It is transmitted by the Aedes mosquito, identical to dengue. Only about one in five infections are symptomatic. Zika is generally a mild and self-limiting illness[1]. Although rare, serious neurological complications have been reported. There is no vaccine or specific anti-viral drugs.
| Ongoing outbreaks[2] | Ongoing local transmission/ exported cases [2] |
| Latin America and the CaribbeanTucumán province, Argentina Aruba Barbados Belize Bolivia Bonaire Brazil Colombia Dominica Costa Rica Curaçao Dominican Republic El Salvador Ecuador French Guiana Guadeloupe Guatemala Haiti Honduras Jamaica Martinique Mexico Nicaragua Panama Paraguay Peru Puerto Rico Saint Bethelemy Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Sint Maarten Suriname Trinidad and Tobago Venezuela US Virgin IslandsOceaniaAmerican Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Fiji Tonga SamoaAfricaCape VerdeAsiaBeung Kan province, Thailand Phetchabun province, ThailandUnited StatesFlorida | Latin America and the CaribbeanAnguilla Antigua and Barbuda Bahamas Cayman Islands Cuba Grenada Saba Sint Eustatius Turks and CaicosAsiaIndonesia Thailand VietnamAfricaGuinea-Bissau |
[1] Symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain, muscle aches, headache, red eyes.
[2] Areas with “ongoing outbreaks” refer to areas that are reporting a higher number of cases (more than 10 cases), widespread transmission or with transmission for more than 8 weeks. Areas with “ongoing local transmission/exported cases” refers to areas reporting 10 or fewer local cases in a single area within 8 weeks as well as areas reporting exported cases.
Health Advisory
Travellers to countries with local transmission of the Zika virus should protect themselves from mosquito bites by wearing long, covered clothing, applying insect-repellent, and sleeping under mosquito nets or in rooms with wire-mesh screens to keep out mosquitoes. They should seek medical attention promptly if they become unwell.
While there is currently no evidence that pregnant women are more likely to get Zika virus infection, the consequences can be more serious if a pregnant woman is infected, as the Zika virus infection can cause microcephaly in the unborn foetus of pregnant women. As such, pregnant women should postpone non-essential travel to countries with ongoing outbreaks. They should reconsider their travel plans to areas that are not experiencing outbreaks but have reported local transmission of Zika virus. If they must travel to affected areas, they should undertake strict precautions against mosquito bites.
All travellers returning from areas with ongoing outbreaks of Zika should adopt safer sexual practices, e.g. consistent and correct use of condoms during sex, or consider abstinence for at least eight weeks after their return. Male travellers who are sexual partners of pregnant women should adopt these precautions throughout the women’s pregnancy. People diagnosed with Zika should adopt safer sex practices or consider abstinence for at least 6 months. Travellers who have returned to Singapore from affected areas should monitor their health for the next 14 days and consult a doctor if they have symptoms of Zika, such as fever, skin rashes, joint and muscle pains, headaches and red eyes. They should inform the doctor of the areas that they have travelled to.
For Residents of Aljunied Crescent/ Sims Drive and other areas of concern
| Affected Areas | Areas of Concern |
| Aljunied Crescent/ Sims Drive | Khatib Camp Sembawang Drive Kranji Road Joo Chiat Place Senoko South Road Toh Guan Road EastLor 101 Changi |
We advise residents of affected areas and areas of concern in Singapore, especially pregnant women, to monitor their health.
They should seek medical attention if they are unwell, especially with symptoms such as fever and rash. They should also inform their doctors of the location of their residence and workplace.
Pregnant women should adopt strict mosquitoes precaution if travelling to an affected area. Individuals working, studying or living in an affected area who are sexual partners of pregnant women should adopt safe sexual practices (e.g. consistent and correct use of condoms during sex) or consider abstinence throughout the women’s pregnancy.
MOH will provide updates on any further developments and our latest public health risk assessments. Singaporeans should refer to MOH’s webpage on Zika (www.moh.gov.sg/zika) for the latest health advisory.
