Zika virus outbreak

SINGAPORE: The Singaporean government has stepped up efforts to combat mosquitoes after 41 cases of locally-transmitted Zika infections were confirmed, local media reported yesterday.

The National Environment Agency said at the weekend that it had destroyed 19 sites where mosquitoes were breeding in the area where the Zika outbreak had taken place.

Local MP Tin Pei Ling had also begun to draw up a list of pregnant women in her constituency, so as to keep them “updated”.

Zika has been linked with severe birth defects in the children of pregnant women who become infected with the virus.

Singapore confirmed its first case of locally-transmitted Zika. Of those infected, 34 have fully recovered while the remaining seven are still in hospital. – dpa