As many as 13 Indian nationals have been tested positive for Zika virus in Singapore, as confirmed by the ministry of external affairs.
“According to our mission in Singapore 13 Indian nationals have tested positive for Zika in Singapore,” Vikas Swarup, spokesman for the ministry of external affairs, said in response to a Reuters inquiry.
US health officials have concluded that Zika infections in pregnant women can cause microcephaly, a birth defect marked by small head size that can lead to severe developmental problems in babies.
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Meanwhile, Singapore has confirmed its first case of a pregnant woman testing positive for the Zika virus infection, as the number of cases of the mosquito-borne virus in the city-state rose to 115.
The Ministry of Health and National Environment Agency said the pregnant woman was living in the virus-hit housing and industrial area of Sims Drive/Aljunied Crescent in the southeast of the island.
The woman, who displayed mild symptoms of the virus, was taken to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital on Wednesday. A member of her household was also diagnosed as positive for Zika.
Her doctor is following up closely with her to monitor her health as well as the development of the baby, authorities said.
The United States has warned its pregnant women not to travel to Singapore, while Australia, Taiwan and South Korea have issued travel alerts to their nationals on Singapore.
Singapore’s first locally-transmitted Zika case+ was that of a 47-year-old Malaysian woman which came to light late last month.