Additional measures to better protect Singaporeans against Zika

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Dr Lily Neo

MP for Jalan Besar GRC

Question No. 76

To ask the Minister for Health now that the World Health Organisation has declared Zika as an international public health emergency (a) what are the additional measures implemented to better protect Singaporeans against Zika; and (b) whether there are inter-Ministry collaborations to prevent and control the spread of Zika here.

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Ms Joan Pereira

MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC

Question No. 83

To ask the Minister for Health whether the Ministry will consider (i) testing blood samples from travellers coming in from areas with ongoing Zika outbreaks and (ii) requiring blood donors who have travelled to affected countries to wait at least 28 days before allowing them to donate blood, as advised by the World Health Organisation and implemented in Hong Kong, Canada and Britain. 

Oral Reply 

1   On 1 February 2016, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the recent cluster of microcephaly cases and other neurological disorders reported in Brazil, a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). WHO further noted that there was strong association of the PHEIC with Zika virus transmission in the affected areas.

2   NEA has an ongoing surveillance programme for Zika virus since 2014. Prior to the WHO’s declaration, MOH and NEA had already enhanced the surveillance as well as stepped up measures to reduce the risk of the Zika virus taking root in Singapore. Since 26 January 2016, Zika virus infection has been added to the List of Notifiable Infectious Diseases under the Infectious Diseases Act. All doctors have been advised to stay vigilant against possible cases of Zika virus infection and on the protocols for testing and managing of suspect and confirmed cases. So far, there has not been any reported case of Zika virus infection in Singapore.

3   To reduce the risk of Zika becoming entrenched in Singapore, all confirmed cases will be admitted to Tan Tock Seng Hospital until they recover and test negative for the virus. MOH will also screen people in the vicinity of the home and workplace of confirmed cases for Zika virus infection.

4   In addition, we have issued advisories to travellers to and from Zika-affected countries on how to protect themselves against mosquito bites. We have also reminded travellers who have returned to Singapore from affected areas to monitor their health and consult a doctor if they have symptoms of Zika, such as fever, skin rashes, joint and muscle pains, headaches and red eyes, and to reveal their travel history to their doctor. If they have such symptoms after coming back from areas with Zika transmission, blood samples will be taken for Zika testing.

5  In the light of the WHO’s declaration, MOH and NEA have worked together to introduce additional measures. 

6   MOH is expanding Zika virus testing capability to more public hospital laboratories. NEA has also stepped up the testing of blood samples from patients with fever and rash and suspected dengue for Zika , as part of its Zika virus surveillance efforts. Given the suspected link between Zika virus infection during pregnancy and microcephaly in newborns, MOH has also set up a Clinical Advisory Group on Zika virus infection and pregnancy to provide expert advice on the management of pregnant women with Zika virus infection. In addition, HSA has also required that donors with a history of travel to outbreak areas be deferred from donating blood for 28 days upon return.

7  As recommended by the WHO, surveillance for microcephaly and Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) has been enhanced, to pick up any unusual trends. MOH is also looking at potential areas for collaboration and research with the relevant institutions on Zika virus diagnostics, transmission, and the association with microcephaly and GBS.

8   In addition, if a case is detected here, NEA and other agencies under the Inter-Agency Dengue Task Force such as MOM and PUB will intensify search and destroy efforts to control the Aedes mosquito population at the implicated sites to contain any potential spread.

9   As Zika is transmitted through the same Aedes mosquito that transmits dengue, vector control remains the mainstay to prevent transmission of the Zika virus. NEA has stepped up its vector control efforts, in partnership with the community, agencies and stakeholders, to control the mosquito population. NEA has also brought forward the annual ‘Do the Mozzie Wipeout’ Campaign this year, as part of its community outreach efforts to raise awareness of the 5-Step Mozzie Wipeout and urge the community to take immediate action to prevent mosquito breeding. All of us can do our part by taking the appropriate precautions to prevent mosquito breeding.