Indonesia steps up measures to prevent further spread of Zika virus

The Indonesian health ministry has stepped up measures to prevent further spread of Zika virus in the country as several infection cases have been confirmed, a minister said here Tuesday.

One Indonesian citizen in Jambi province was infected with the virus and some foreign holiday makers were also confirmed of having the disease after their journey in Indonesia, Health Minister Nila Moeloek said.

"I met one person of Anak Dalam tribe in Jambi. The person was positively infected (by Zika virus)," Minister Nila said at the State Palace.

The minister also said that she had met with several foreign tourists who had been infected by the virus after having holidays in Indonesia. However, she did not elaborate further.

To prevent further spread of the virus in the country, the health ministry boosted surveillance at the entrance of airports and seaports, Mohamad Subuh, director general for the prevention and control of disease at the ministry said Tuesday.

Singapore's ministry of health has confirmed 41 cases of locally transmitted Zika virus infection in the city state, and of these, 34 people have fully recovered while the other seven are recovering at Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

"I have issued an instruction letter for the health offices in all airports and seaports which have entry gates and asked them to step up surveillance and monitoring,' he said in a statement.

Minister Nila said that the visitors from Singapore who have fever have to undergo a blood test when they arrive in Indonesia.

Zika virus is a member of the virus family Falavivindae and primarily spread by the female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Endit