Indonesia boosts vigilance on Zika virus

Jakarta, Aug 30 (IANS) The Indonesian government has stepped up alertness on the possible spread of Zika virus into the country as the number of infection cases steeply rose in the neighbouring Singapore.

Indonesia Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi made the statement on Monday after the Singapore's Ministry of Health confirmed 41 cases of locally transmitted Zika virus infection in the city state, Xinhua news agency reported.

"We strengthen alertness. It must be prevented," Marsudi 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, Marsudi added.

"We want prevention on the spread of the viruses and comprehensive information about the new cases," she noted.

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

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