The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (September 2) closely monitoring the latest Zika virus update of the World Health Organization (WHO), and again urged the public to adopt strict anti-mosquito measures and safe sex during travel. Pregnant women and those planning pregnancy should not travel to affected areas.

     Singapore and the British Virgin Islands recently reported mosquito-borne Zika Virus Infection. To date, 72 countries/areas have documented mosquito-borne transmission since 2007 while 11 have reported evidence of person-to-person transmission, probably by sexual contact. The public may visit the CHP's website for more details about affected areas.

     "We continue to stay alert for emerging local Zika cases in Singapore as well as the speed of local spread and possible importation to neighbouring areas," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     "We again urge that pregnant women and those planning pregnancy should not travel to affected areas. All travellers including pregnant women should use mosquito repellent containing DEET during travel and upon returning from affected areas for at least 21 days. Pregnant women should attend antenatal follow-up regularly and report travel history to attending doctors, and seek medical advice as soon as possible if Zika symptoms develop. A pregnant woman should not have sex with a partner who has travelled to affected areas, or else condoms should be used throughout the pregnancy," the spokesman added.

     Although the WHO's global risk assessment has not changed, the geographic spread of Zika virus has rather increased in July and August after slowing down from April to June, likely due to increased activity of the mosquito vector in the northern hemisphere in warmer summer months.

     "We are maintaining close liaison with the WHO as well as overseas, neighbouring and Mainland health authorities to closely monitor the latest developments," the spokesman said.

     To prevent Zika Virus Infection, in addition to general anti-mosquito measures, the DH draws the public's attention to the special notes below:

     A. Travelling abroad

     • If going to areas with ongoing Zika virus transmission (affected areas), travellers, especially those with immune disorders or severe chronic illnesses, should arrange consultation with a doctor at least six weeks before the trip, and take extra preventive measures to avoid mosquito bites;
     • Those arriving from affected areas should apply insect repellent for at least 21 days upon arrival. If feeling unwell, such as having a fever, seek medical advice as soon as possible, and provide travel details to the doctor;
     • Travellers should consider not having sex during travel to affected areas, or else condoms should be used;
     • Travellers returning from affected areas should consider abstinence for at least two months upon return, or else condoms should be used. If diagnosed with Zika Virus Infection or having compatible symptoms, they should consider abstinence for at least six months upon onset, or else condoms should be used;

     B. Pregnant women and those preparing for pregnancy

     • Pregnant women and those preparing for pregnancy should not travel to affected areas. Those who must travel should seek medical advice from their doctor before the trip, adopt contraception if appropriate, strictly follow steps to avoid mosquito bites during the trip, and consult and reveal their travel history to their doctor if symptoms develop after the trip;
     • Women preparing for pregnancy are advised to continue to adopt contraception for at least two months after returning from affected areas if they have no symptoms of Zika Virus Infection, or six months if one or both members of the couple are symptomatic;

     C. Special notes for prevention of sexual transmission regarding adverse pregnancy outcomes

     • Pregnant women should not have sex with partners who have travelled to affected areas, or else condoms should be used;
     • Travellers returning from affected areas should:
     1. Abstain from sex with pregnant partners, or else use condoms throughout the pregnancy; and
     2. Use condoms for at least six months if female partners may get pregnant.

     The public may visit the following pages for more disease information and health advice: the Zika Page of the CHP and the DH's Travel Health Service, the Outbound Travel Alert page of the Security Bureau, anti-mosquito precautions for women, and the WHO Zika virus situation reports.

Ends/Friday, September 2, 2016
Issued at HKT 16:25

NNNN