Singapore confirms two new Zika cases

SINGAPORE, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Two cases of locally transmitted Zika virus infection in Singapore have been confirmed at Kensington Park Drive, said the National Environment Agency (NEA) on Wednesday.

The new cluster was notified on Wednesday and the NEA has commenced vector control operations at the cluster area.

Residents and stakeholders are urged to maintain vigilance and continue to eliminate mosquito breeding habitats as there could be asymptomatic or mild, undiagnosed cases which might result in further transmission of the virus if there are mosquitoes in the vicinity.

The authorities have been conducting preventive inspections in the vicinity before the cluster at Kensington Park Drive was notified to detect and destroy any potential mosquito breeding habitats.

Residents are requested to allow NEA officers to carry out inspections and indoor spraying of their homes.

The NEA urges all residents and stakeholders to maintain vigilance and take immediate steps to eliminate mosquito breeding habitats.

Zika is a virus transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which could cause birth defects for pregnant women.

The NEA confirmed the previous two Zika cases on June 9. By now, Singapore has recorded 39 reported Zika cases in 2017.