How the Ministry of Health responded to initial cases of Zika
A grassroots leader puts up a Zika poster in the lift lobby of a block. Photo: Ooi Boon Keong
FIRST IMPORTED CASE
May 12: A 48-year-old man fell ill and was hospitalised after returning from Brazil
May 13: The man tested positive for Zika and the Ministry of Health (MOH) was informed. He was isolated at Tan Tock Seng Hospital’s Communicable Diseases Centre (CDC)
Household members were screened. Intensive vector control operations were conducted around his home in Watten Estate, while residents were advised on what to do if they develop symptoms
May 17: The man recovered and was discharged
No other cases were subsequently linked to this case
FIRST LOCALLY TRANSMITTED CASE
Aug 22: MOH received an alert from Sims Drive Medical Clinic on an unusual increase in cases of fever, rash, joint pain that tested negative for dengue and chikungunya
Aug 25: MOH approached the supervisor of a construction site at 60 Sims Drive for records of workers who had recently been unwell
Aug 26: A woman visited Sims Drive Medical Clinic with similar symptoms and was referred to the CDC
Aug 27: The woman tested positive for Zika. General practitioners in the Aljunied Crescent/Sims Drive areas were alerted to look out for patients with Zika-like symptoms
Aug 28: 41 cases were confirmed. Aljunied Crescent/Sims Drive identified as first active cluster
