ST Explains What You Need to Know About the Virus

Two Zika cases have been confirmed in Woodlands Street 11 and Street 32 on June 19.

- BNB Diviyadhaarshini and Daniel Lai

The National Environment Agency (NEA) said enhanced surveillance has revealed persistent Zika virus signals in the area, which suggest that it is an area with likely Zika transmission. The Zika virus has been found in wastewater or mosquito samples collected in the vicinity of the reported cases.

A check on the NEA website showed that as at June 18, there were no Zika clusters in Singapore.

Here is what you need to know about the virus:

WHAT IS ZIKA, AND HOW IS IT TRANSMITTED?

Zika is a viral infection spread mainly through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito, which also carries the dengue and chikungunya viruses.

It can be transmitted through sex, transfusion of blood and blood products, or from mother to foetus during pregnancy.

There is no noticeable pattern as to when Zika cases tend to peak.

The symptoms of Zika and dengue are similar. The viruses can be differentiated by virological tests.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS, AND HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED?

Only one in five people infected with the virus displays symptoms.

The most common symptoms are fever, rash, headache, joint and muscle pain, and red eyes.

The symptoms usually develop between three and 12 days after the mosquito bite, and often last between four and seven days. Nausea and vomiting may also occur.

Individuals who suspect they have contracted Zika should see a doctor quickly, advised NEA.

A reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test uses blood and urine tests to determine the infection.