The Ministry of Health today adviced pregnant women to be vigilant in traveling to countries which are prone to the Zika Virus.

Active transmission of Zika have been reported in the Americas (with the exception of Canada, Chile, Uruguay), several countries in Oceania and Cape Verde in Africa.

Singapore has also reported cases of Zika transmission.

Zika is spread mostly by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito (Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus). These mosquitoes are aggressive daytime biters. They can also bite at night.

Zika can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus. Infection during pregnancy can cause certain birth defects.

There is no vaccine or medicine for Zika.