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 One of the world's leading financial hubs, Singapore is the only
Asian country with active transmission of the mosquito-borne virus,
which generally causes mild symptoms but can lead to serious birth
defects in pregnant women.
Authorities say they have found over 150 cases since the first
locally contracted infection was reported a week ago, and with the
virus spreading beyond the cluster where it was initially detected,
more people are taking precautions.
"I'm not going to let her go outside much until Zika dies down,"
said Nat Bumatay, a self-employed mother, of her six-year-old
daughter Sunshine. "Usually during short holidays, we go outside to
the parks, go cycling, but now I will refrain."
A warm, tropical climate, forested areas and a network of public
parks make outdoor activities popular across Singapore, especially
during school holidays like the ten-day break that began on Friday.
Authorities have stepped up spraying insecticide and clearing
stagnant water to prevent mosquito breeding, but many people said
they were also avoiding the city's popular outdoor food centers and
dousing themselves in repellent to avoid getting bitten.
"Prevention is better than cure," said Tomas Quong, a Filipino who
has been working in Singapore for five years. "That's why I am
wearing long sleeves."
Some fans of Nintendo's Pokemon Go mobile game are also becoming
more cautious and crowds at outdoor Pokemon hotspots around the city
are likely to be thinner. "I am still okay with outdoors, just not
damp and dirty parks," said Nelson Ho, a 19-year-old gamer.
Pharmacies and supermarkets have reported a surge in mosquito
repellent's over the past week, with some running out of stock.
Online retailers Lazada and Qoo10.sg have set up a Zika shop, while
other enterprising Singaporeans trying to cash in are advertising
mosquito net tents and "anti-bite" jewelry.
SLOWING ECONOMY
The outbreak coincides with a slowdown in trade-dependent Singapore.
Worries about Zika could further crimp overall retail sales, United
Overseas Bank economist Francis Tan said. "If it continues, people
will generally not want to go out, so all the retail sectors will be
slowing down," Tan said.
Zika could also increase concerns about tourism, a mainstay of the
economy, especially with the city-state's key annual attraction -
the floodlit Formula One Grand Prix race - due to start in two
weeks. Several countries, including the United States and Australia,
have advised pregnant women or those trying to conceive not to
visit.
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"It will certainly create a bit of caution in the minds of tourists
and they may think about it twice," said Jonathan Galaviz, partner
at consultants Global Market Advisors. "But I don't see Zika
standing in the way of a successful F1 event or tourism flows in the
short term."
Tourism arrivals topped 8 million in the first half of this year,
around 1 million more than a year ago.
The Tourism Board has said it is premature to consider any impact on
the industry, with at least two international chain hotels contacted
by Reuters reporting business as usual. The promoters of the Grand
Prix have also said planning for the event is going ahead "as per
normal".
Several of those initially infected by the virus were foreigners,
many believed to be among the thousands of migrant workers in
Singapore's construction industry.
The latest tally includes two pregnant women, and officials and
experts say the number of cases is likely to increase as the virus
is likely to spread.
"The virus is extending beyond the square that was drawn out," said
Leong Hoe Nam, an infectious disease specialist at Mount Elizabeth
Novena hospital in Singapore. "We have re-draw the battle lines. We
have to first admit defeat to Zika and accept that the whole country
is at risk."
(Additional reporting by Nicole Nee, Natasha Howitt and Imogen
Braddick; Writing by Miral Fahmy; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
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