Johor monitoring zika situation in Singapore

JOHOR BAHRU: The Johor Bahru District Health Office will continue to monitor the spread of Zika virus in Singapore following the reports of two new cases in the republic.

Johor Health, Environment, Education and Information Committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat said if the cases continue to rise, they would station more environmental health assistant officers and paramedics at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar and Bangunan Sultan Abu Bakar ( Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex.

The body temperature of the passengers and visitors would be monitored through the thermal scanner at both gateways.

“The suspected cases will be referred to nearby health clinics.

“We urge the Immigration Department for cooperation by referring suspected cases to the health department, besides distributing pamphlets and displaying zika virus messages at digital displays located at the gateways.

“Health clinics and health staff at Gelang Patah are also urged to detect suspected cases through fever and conjunctivitis symptoms, especially those who ply to Singapore,” he said in a statement yesterday.

At the same time, prevention and vector control action would continue to focus at localities or residential areas with many residents plying to Singapore.

According to Singapore media reports, the National Environment Agency ( NEA) on Friday confirmed the new cases of Zika virus infection at Parry Avenue in Serangoon Garden.

Both victims are residents in the area and NEA has commenced operations to destroy mosquito breeding spots at the locations.

The suspected cases will be referred to nearby health clinics. We urge the Immigration Department for cooperation by referring suspected cases to the health department, besides distributing pamphlets and displaying zika virus messages at digital displays located at the gateways. Datuk Ayub Rahmat, Johor Health, Environment, Education and Information Committee chairman