10 Bangladeshi nationals in Singapore infected with Zika

10 Bangladeshi nationals have tested positive with the mosquito-borne Zika virus in Singapore, the high commissioner of Bangladesh says.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 1 Sept 2016, 04:29 AM
Updated : 1 Sept 2016, 07:05 AM

The Ministry of Health of Singapore has informed us that of those tested positive for Zika Virus, as of on Sep 1, 10 are Bangladeshi Nationals, Mahbub Uz Zaman told bdnews24.com on Thursday.

When asked, he said due to patients’ confidentiality requirements Ministry of Health was not divulging further information such as whether they are male or female.

“We have also been informed that the patients are presented with mild symptoms and have either recovered or recovering,” he said.

“We are in touch with the Ministry of Health in this regard and we have requested access and are in touch with them,” the high commissioner said.

According to the US Centre for Disease Control, Zika outbreak in Singapore is worsening fast and it has added the city to its list of Zika-affected countries that pregnant women should avoid.

Authorities have so far confirmed 115 cases of the viral infection spread by local mosquitoes.

The mosquito-borne infection is a cause of global concern for its link with microcephaly, a condition in which a baby is born with a small head.

The Aedes Aegypti mosquito also causes dengue fever.

Bangladesh has identified a case in March while retesting the old blood samples once collected for dengue amid global concern. However, the patient had recuperated much before.