Singapore reviews regulation isolating potential Zika-infected patient

A employee from the National Environment Agency is giving leaflets warning of Zika virus to customers at a restaurant in Singapore. (Source: EPA/VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – A Singaporean senior official said on September 4 that the country’s Ministry of Health (MOH) is reviewing the regulation of isolating patients with high risk of Zika infection.

Amy Khor Lean Suan, Senior Minister of State at the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, was quoted by Straits Times as saying that the MOH is considering the ability of allowing patients suspected of Zika infection to get treatment at home during the tests of blood and urine.

The ministry has also considered the possibility of allowing Zika-infected patients to return home for rehabilitation but warned them of avoiding being bitten by mosquitoes.

At present, those who are thought to be infected with Zika virus are being isolated at the Communicable Diseases Centre while waiting for test results. Meanwhile, people who are positive to Zika virus are being isolated at hospitals.

On September 3, Singaporean authorities reported 26 new cases of Zika infection, bringing the total number to 215 since the first one was found on August 27.

Zika virus is spread from human to human mainly via bites from Aedes aegypti mosquito and infected people often have symptoms such as f ever, rash, conjunctivitis (red eyes), muscle pain and headache.

No vaccine has been created to prevent or treat Zika virus infection.-VNA