Don’t Travel to Singapore, Pregnant Women Told

Manila, Philippines, 29 Dzulqa’dah 1437/01 September 2016 (MINA) – Pregnant women are advised to avoid traveling “at the moment” to Singapore and other countries where cases of Zika virus are on the rise, Philstar reported.

In a statement, Philippine Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said it is “very risky” for pregnant women to get infected with Zika virus.

The disease has been linked to birth of babies with severe brain and other neurological defects like microcephaly, a condition where a baby has small head.

Ubial said since Zika is also sexually-transmitted, pregnant women, their partners and others planning for pregnancy should observe safe sex precautions (condoms) to avoid infection.

Also Read: Zika Virus A Global Emergency, Says UN Health Body

She urged international travelers to take extra precautions while staying in countries with “ongoing local transmission.”

The Bureau of Quarantine will continue to screen arriving travelers for signs of fever, she added. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)