Health x Wellness
Zika Updates & Test Subsidies
As the battle against Zika continues, find out some of the latest updates and Zika test subsidies available.
With a total of 333 confirmed locally transmitted Zika virus cases reported in Singapore (as of 12 September), the fight against Zika is still an ongoing one and should not be taken lightly. Of this, 269 of the confirmed cases (slightly more than 80 percent) were from the main cluster at Aljunied, Sims Drive, and Paya Lebar Way.
According to The Straits Times, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong had previously told the Parliament that the fight against Zika is lightly to be a long one, thus requiring a concerted effort that includes society as a whole.
On top of preventive and precautionary measures we can take against the spread of Zika, individuals who experience symptoms such as fever, rash, red eyes, and joint pain are encouraged to get checked and referred for a Zika test by a doctor.
Prices to get checked for Zika are as follows:
General Public – SGD 60 (Subsidised Patients) & SGD 150 (Private Patients)
- Those who suffer from fever, rash, and one other Zika symptom and are referred by a doctor
Pregnant Women – FREE (Subsidised and Private Patients)
- Those who suffer from fever, rash, and one other Zika symptom and are referred by a doctor
- OR Those with male partners who are tested positive for Zika and are referred by a doctor
All other Pregnant Women – SGD 60 (Subsidised Patients) & SGD 150 (Private Patients)
- Referred by doctor
What the Government is doing
Any patients with symptoms associated with the Zika virus infection will be immediately reported to the Ministry of Health (MOH). Residents in the vicinity will also be alerted to seek medical attention should they develop symptoms.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) has also intensified vector control operations to keep the Aedes mosquito population under control. These operations include inspection of all premises, ground and congregation areas; ultra-low volume misting and thermal fogging of outdoor areas; increased frequency of drain flushing and oiling; as well as the distribution of insect repellents to the public.
As of now, the current location of active clusters are as follows:
- Aljunied Crescent, Aljunied Road, Circuit Road, Geylang East Avenue 1, Geylang East Central
- Paya Lebar Way, Pipit Road, Sims Drive, Sims Place
- Bedok North Avenue 2 & 3, Bedok North Street 3
- Joo Seng Road (Blk 17, 18, 21)
- Bishan Street 12 (Blk 122, 123, 124)
- Elite Terrace, Jalan Tua Kong, Siglap Road (Flamingo Valley)
- Ubi Avenue 1, Cres
- Circuit Road (Blk 35), Jalan Raya
Preventing the spread of Zika is an individual responsibility that starts from our homes. For more information on how to prevent the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes in our homes, visit here. For more updates on Zika, visit here.
