Indonesia boosts vigilance on Zika virus

The Indonesian government has stepped up alertness on the possible spread of Zika viruses into the country as the number of infection case steeply rises in neighboring Singapore, a minister disclosed here on Monday.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi made the statement after the Singapore's Ministry of Health confirmed 41 cases of locally transmitted Zika virus infection in the city state.

"We strengthen alertness. It (the spread to Indonesia) must be prevented," Minister Retno said at the State Palace.

The foreign ministry has set up coordination with the health ministry and Indonesian embassy in Singapore over the preparedness to face the threat, she added.

"We want prevention on the spread of the viruses, ...and comprehensive information about the new cases," Minister Retno said.

The Singapore's ministry of health has confirmed that 34 people out of the 41 cases have fully recovered while the other seven, who are still symptomatic and potentially infectious, are recovering at Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

Zika virus is a member of the virus family Falavivindae and primarily spread by the female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which is active mostly in daytime.

A total of 58 countries have reported cases of locally transmitted Zika virus infection. Endit