Singapore confirmed eight new cases of locally transmitted Zika virus infection as of Wednesday, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) and National Environment Agency (NEA) in a joint statement.

Wednesday's update brings the total number of Zika infections in Singapore to 283. The ministry said among these newly reported cases, two cases are linked to the Aljunied Crescent/ Sims Drive/ Kallang Way/ Paya Lebar Way cluster, and one case is linked to the Bishan Street 12 cluster.

There is a potential new cluster involving one previously reported case and a new case on Wednesday, according to the joint statement. They both live in the Elite Terrace area. The other four cases have no known links to any existing cluster.

MOH and NEA said vector control operations and outreach efforts are being carried out. As of Tuesday, a total of 150 breeding habitats have been found and destroyed in the cluster areas, of which 99 are from homes, and 51 from outdoor areas.

Aligned to the dengue control approach, NEA will continue to work with stakeholders and the community to reduce mosquito breeding, as vector control is key to reducing the transmission of Zika in the community.

(Xinhua)