Singapore Participates In The ASEAN Health Ministers Special Video Conference On The Threat Of Zika Virus In The Region

1.     Minister for Health Mr Gan Kim Yong participated in the ASEAN Health Ministers Special Video Conference on the Threat of Zika Virus in the Region on 19 September 2016, to discuss ways to strengthen regional cooperation in the fight against the Zika virus. 

2.    The session was organised by ASEAN Secretariat and chaired by Brunei, in its capacity as the chair for the ASEAN Health Ministers’ Meeting. Minister Gan took the opportunity to share Singapore’s experience in managing Zika and our three-prong approach in i) preparing for Zika, ii) responding to initial cases, and iii) managing Zika in the long term. Minister Gan emphasised the need for transparent and timely information sharing on the disease situation and responses amongst affected countries.  He also shared our experience in vector control efforts.

3.    On ASEAN Cooperation, he urged ASEAN Member States to “adopt a practical and sustainable approach to the management of Zika for the long term… and leverage on the strong government, economic, social and people-to-people links to further strengthen our regional collaboration”. Until such time that research brings about a vaccine, vector control will remain one of the most important strategies in our fight against Zika.

4.    In the statement released after the meeting, ASEAN Health Ministers agreed to strengthen in-country disease surveillance by leveraging on existing regional and WHO platforms to enhance surveillance and response on Zika Virus Disease and other emerging and re-emerging diseases. Member States will also take appropriate measures to manage risks by intensifying vector control measures, conducting research and sharing of new knowledge and best practices.

5.    The WHO Western Pacific Region representative who attended the meeting commended Singapore for our response to the Zika virus, including our transparent and timely update to local and international audiences. 

Annex A - Joint Statement Of The ASEAN Health Ministers’ Special Video Conference On The Threat Of Zika Virus In The Region [PDF, 118KB]