More Zika virus cases found in Singapore, Thailand

There is a scientific consensus that the Zika virus is a cause of microcephaly in newborn babies (Photo:lehighvalleylive.com)

Singapore (VNA) – Singapore discovered 14 new cases of Zika virus as of September 10, bringing the total number of locally transmitted cases of the virus to 318, according the country’s Health Ministry (MOH) and the National Environment Agency (NEA).

The MOH said nine of the new cases have known links to existing clusters while the NEA is continuing with vector control operations and outreach efforts in the cluster areas.

As of September 9, a total of 194 breeding habitats had been found and destroyed.

On the same day, 21 new cases of locally transmitted Zika virus were confirmed in Sathron, a central district of Bangkok, Thailand , including a pregnant woman who gave birth with no complications, local authorities reported.

Zika virus is transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes. Symptoms of the virus include fever, skin rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise or headache. These symptoms normally last from two to seven days. 

There is a scientific consensus that the Zika virus is a cause of microcephaly in newborn babies and Guillain-Barré syndrome. 

70 countries and territories around the world have reported Zika cases.

There is no vaccine against the Zika virus.-VNA