Gov’t concerned with Zika and Dengue, promotes preventive measures

In order to prevent the occurrence of Zika and Dengue fever diseases, the government, through the Dengue fever prevention task force, is promoting several activities to raise popular awareness and knowledge about the diseases and how to prevent them.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the team has revealed that the Southeast Asian region has been registering a surge in diseases transmitted by mosquito bites, and that Macau already recorded eight imported cases of Dengue this year.
More concerning is said to be the cases of Zika, namely the 304 cases registered in Singapore which, according to the World Health Organization, represents a situation of “international public emergency.”
As a preventive method, the health authorities have proceeded with several campaigns of mosquito elimination in more than 140 public spaces under the management of the Municipal Affairs Bureau since March.
In a separate statement, the Health Bureau (SSM) said they would be taking measures and searching for potential places for mosquitos’ proliferation in buildings and shared spaces from the second half of September.
According to the statement, the referred inspection will take place from now until the end of the month.
The SSM performed a total of 47 tests regarding Zika, all with negative results. The tests were performed as a preventive measure to local residents that have been in locations where the virus is especially active.
Regions such as Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines and Hong Kong have already reported cases of Zika with special attention for the cases of Singapore.
The SSM highlighted that pregnant women should avoid travelling to the areas affected by the Zika virus as it is known that the infection might result in serious conditions to the unborn child, namely microcephaly and other neurological problems. RM