Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Singaporean authorities have been fumigating areas where mosquitoes breed

Zika infections are "highly likely" to keep spreading in Asia, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned.

Hundreds of cases of the virus have been reported in Singapore while two cases of Zika-linked microcephaly have already been confirmed in Thailand.

The mosquito-borne virus has been detected in 70 countries worldwide, at least 19 in the Asia Pacific region.

WHO director Margaret Chan said experts were still looking for ways to deal with the virus.

Zika virus: The outbreak in Asia

'New outbreaks'

In a report released on Monday at its annual meeting in Manila, the WHO said it is "highly likely that the region will continue to report new cases and possibly new outbreaks of Zika".

This is because the carrier of the disease - the Aedes mosquito - is widely found in the region, which also sees a high volume of travel.

There is also still uncertainty about the level of immunity in the regional population, the report added.

"Unfortunately, scientists do not yet have answers to many critical questions [about Zika]," Ms Chan said at the meeting.

Though the virus is known to have existed in Asia for decades, she noted that the first sign of its presence in some countries came from travellers whose Zika infections were only confirmed once they returned home.

"Is this weak surveillance, an indication of population-wide immunity, or proof that the virus has somehow acquired greater epidemic potential?" she asked.

Zika generally has mild effects but is more dangerous for pregnant women as it has been linked to severe birth defects, including the brain deformation microcephaly.

The latest large-scale outbreak originated in Brazil.</s>MANILA: The Zika virus is set to spread through Asia, the World Health Organization warned Monday, with hundreds of cases reported in Singapore and two Thai babies diagnosed with Zika-linked microcephaly.

The mosquito-borne virus has been detected in 70 countries worldwide including at least 19 countries in the Asia Pacific region, said WHO director for health security and emergencies Li Ailan.

A WHO report released at the annual regional meeting in Manila said the virus was “highly likely to further spread in the region” which includes China, Japan, Australia, most Southeast Asian nations and the Pacific islands.

“It is highly likely that the region will continue to report new cases and possibly new outbreaks of Zika,” the report added.

WHO director Margaret Chan said leaders in the region had expressed concerns over the outbreak, adding that experts were still grappling with ways to tackle the scourge.

“Unfortunately, scientists do not yet have answers to many critical questions,” she said.

There have been more than 400 Zika cases detected in Singapore, while Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia have reported fewer than 20 each, said Chan.

Zika causes only mild symptoms in most, including fever, sore eyes and a rash. But pregnant women with the mosquito-borne virus risk giving birth to babies with microcephaly — a deformation that leads to abnormally small brains and heads.

Li said Zika has been in the region since 1947 but said it was difficult to pinpoint if individuals had been infected overseas, with the region’s tropical weather, large mosquito populations and international travel hubs potential factors. -AFP</s>Zika infections are expected to continue rising in the Asia-Pacific region, where authorities are increasing surveillance, preparing responses to complications and collaborating on information about the disease, the World Health Organization said Monday.

Complicating the fight against the virus, spread by mosquitoes, is the lack of a "foolproof" approach to mosquito control, as shown by decades of efforts to contain dengue virus, WHO Director General Margaret Chan said in her address to a Western Pacific regional meeting of the world health body.

She said other questions included why the first signs of the virus's existence in the Asia-Pacific region came from travelers whose infections were confirmed once they returned home.

"Is this weak surveillance an indication of population-wide immunity, or proof that the virus has somehow acquired greater epidemic potential?" she asked.

Zika symptoms are mild and no deaths have been reported globally, said Dr. Li Ailan, director for health security and emergencies at WHO's Western Pacific regional office. But she said based on WHO's risk assessment, Zika viral infection will continue to spread in the region and authorities are preparing for complications.

The complications include like microcephaly and Guillain-Barre syndrome. Babies born to Zika-infected mothers have been found to have microcephaly, or a birth defect where the head is abnormally small and brains might not have developed properly. Guillain-Barre syndrome is a disorder in which the body's immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system.

The Western Pacific region is the second most Zika-affected region in the world, Li said. Nineteen of its 27 countries have reported Zika cases since 2007 and 13 of them this year.

Dr. Shin Young-soo, WHO's Western Pacific regional head, said they are working very hard to increase surveillance and detection of Zika, and long-term response to the disease are among the topics to be discussed at the five-day conference. Those include detecting cases and reducing mosquito density, especially in high-risk locations, Dr. Li said.</s>The total number of locally transmitted laboratory confirmed cases of the Zika virus remains at 17, as of 12 October 2016. Laboratory diagnosed imported cases have increased to 10. The total number of all laboratory confirmed cases, local and imported, is 27.

· Since the last update on 26 September 2016, five results were received from Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in Trinidad. Four were negative and one was a positive imported case.

· There are no further cases of pregnant females testing positive for Zika. One pregnant lady tested positive last month and was included in the last Zika update.

Further information on the Zika can be obtained on www.hsa.ky. Regional perspectives on the virus can be accessed by visiting the CARPHA website on http://carpha.org/zika. In addition, the global perspective can be accessed by visiting http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/zika/en/</s>BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: A Whole-of-nation approach on tackling the spread of Zika virus is needed because all levels of the society are collectively responsible to assist the government’s efforts in preventing the deadly disease, brudirect.com reported.

This was stated by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office as the Chairman of the National Disaster Council (NDC), in his sabda at the NDC meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday.

Government agencies’ efforts like fumigation and fogging will prove futile without the active involvement of the community at large, His Royal Highness added.

“Participation of the community is key to the effectiveness of measures to control the spread of Zika virus. This is where the council can play a crucial role to streamline efforts to contain this issue as ‘an incident’ based on the interpretation of the National Disaster Order 2006, and through a pragmatic approach towards enhancing public awareness in the context of strategy preparedness,” His Royal Highness noted.

“We are grateful to Allah the Almighty for protecting the people from the health issue that has affected several countries.

“We are now facing an outbreak of Zika virus which has affected several countries to the extent that the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it as a public health emergency,” His Royal Highness said.

“Brunei Darussalam is not exempted from the threat of the virus. I would like to extend my gratitude for my father’s wise leadership and for his consent for the formation of the Multi-Sectoral Task Force to contain the threat of Zika, which indicates my father’s concern for the welfare of the people in this nation.

“My father’s farsighted vision and prompt actions are timely especially because the virus’ impact is not limited to health of individuals, but it has the ability to threaten the socioeconomy of the country,” His Royal Highness added.

Considering that Zika virus has spread in the neighbouring countries, His Royal Highness said, the NCD meeting is timely to ensure that the action plans are discussed on a larger scale.

We should analyse the extent to which the nation has embraced the culture of preparedness among the government and private institutions and the general public, the Crown Prince said.

“A nation that is empowered with the culture of preparedness will have an effective disaster management system, His Royal Highness said, and urged every member of NDC to give special focus formulating a strategic working framework policy for the council, as stated in the National Disaster Management Order 2006.

“This is significant to strengthen the role of the council in giving advice and disaster management direction to the country,” His Royal Highness said. His Royal Highness also highlighted that it is crucial for every plan to be followed with proper and effective implementation, in addition to regularly carrying out reevaluation of the effectiveness of actions taken.

“Crucially important is the strong collaboration with stakeholders in the public and private sectors, especially the media, which form the basis for success of the implementation of every plan on awareness, preparedness and response.”

Sharing of information, His Royal Highness said, should not only be responsive to public needs but it should also be proactive, reliable and educational in nature.

“The public is our core partner in ensuring that the dissemination of information such as on Zika virus is conducted in a responsible, accurate and authentic manner,” His Royal Highness said.

Earlier, the Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong as the Co-Deputy Chairman of the NDC, expressed gratitude towards the leadership and wisdom of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khaki Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam for his consent on the formation of the Multi-Sectoral Task Force to contain Zika virus.

This indicates the concern of His Majesty for the safety and welfare of the people, he noted.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Health, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Zulkarnain bin Haji Hanafi, pointed out the various efforts undertaken, especially in the development of a ‘Preparedness Plan’ to tackle Zika virus.

The minister said strategic surveillance for this action has been provided by the Multi-Sectoral Task Force, which has met six times since its formation.

The meeting also heard the latest situation of Zika virus globally and regionally and risk analysis for Brunei Darussalam, especially its preparedness plan to prevent, detect and control Zika virus.

The meeting also heard proposals to review and update the Strategic National Action Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction 2012-2025 and proposals for the formation of a strategic working framework for facing disasters in the Sultanate, including holding Asean Regional Disaster Emergency Response Simulation Exercise (ARDEX) from November 28 to December 1 in Brunei.

Earlier His Royal Highness was greeted upon arrival by the Minister of Home Affairs, and the Minister of Health, who is also the Co-Chairman of the NDC.</s>ALL 40 air carriers flying out of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) are up in arms against the seeming strong-arm tactics by the airport’s Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ), requiring airlines to use a certain kind of insecticide against the Zika virus every time an airplane lands at the premier airport.

“The members of the Airline Operators Council [AOC] are issued World Health Organization [WHO] certified insecticide and we spray our aircraft before landing,” said a member who requested anonymity because they need approval from headquarters abroad to issue statements.

The AOC members are one in saying the airport quarantine had told them to buy a WHO-certified insecticide from them at P385 per canister.

“The AOC has more than 200 airplanes flying out of the Naia and a combined total of more than 500 counting Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Zest Air and AirAsia, and with an average of three canisters per airplane. That’s a lot of money.”

The AOC members said opening the passenger cabin and the cargo compartment after landing would have allowed Zika-carrying mosquitoes and virus to escape and, therefore, fumigation would be useless.

“’Pag nabuksan ang cabin at cargo pagdating ng eroplano, ’di singaw na. Bakit pa eespreyan,” they said. “The AOC will appeal this directive from the Bureau of Quarantine.”

Dr. Gerry Camba, Naia quarantine doctor, issued a memorandum, saying every aircraft passenger cabin and cargo hold must be sprayed with 2-percent d-phenothrin and 2-percent permethrin upon arrival at the airport and prior to the cargo being unloaded.

He said airline personnel must submit the canisters they used as proof they fumigated the aircraft upon arriving at the Naia.

By the BOQ’s memorandum, every aircraft must be sprayed with the Zika-killing insecticide from WHO-recommended spray upon arrival at the airport and prior to the cargo’s being unloaded.

WHO has declared the spread of the Zika virus as an international public-health emergency. The number of cans of insecticide will be determined by the type of aircraft: A Boeing A747-400 needs 400 grams, or four cans, while a B737 needs only one can, the BOQ said.

Should an airline fail to comply, the BOQ will spray the aircraft and charge the airline a fee of P375 per can.</s>SDSU students continue to study abroad in South America despite Zika threat

The mosquito-borne Zika virus is an emerging health threat that is spreading globally.

With no vaccine or treatment for the virus, San Diego State students who are studying abroad are encouraged to take precautions before traveling. Despite the Zika virus threat, several SDSU students are studying abroad in Zika-infected countries.

The International Student Center requires students to learn about the health risks and threats in the countries they are visiting from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website.

“Zika is a newer threat and we send students to universities where there is less risk such as Puerto Alegre in the south of Brazil,“ senior advisor and study abroad coordinator Maribel Franco said. “We send students a fact sheet for risk management and an emergency card for services in the country and even at SDSU.”

Franco said the northern part of Brazil has a large number of Zika outbreaks.

Stanley Maloy, dean of the College of Sciences and professor of biology, warns the Zika mosquitos can cause threats to pregnancies. Maloy said the Zika virus is also tricky because mosquitos like humans and are able to survive in areas where there are less water.

Maloy was a moderator at an event for the Center for Ethics in Science and Technology on Oct. 5 where a panel of experts discussed the Zika virus.

“It is important to be aware of the males that can transmit the Zika virus because it stays in their bodies for six months,” Malloy said. “Males are able to transmit the virus to a baby if they get a female pregnant during that period of time.”

Abel Martinez, an international business student with an emphasis in Latin America said he doesn’t think he will get the Zika virus while studying abroad. He said he has gotten four vaccines in order to avoid getting sick.

Martinez is studying at the Universidad del Desarollo in Chile and learning new business concepts to find ways in which the U.S. can help South America in their development.

Martinez was in Brazil for five days before the school semester began and said he never worried about the Zika virus.

“If it’s something that seems to be big in the U.S., it may be the media inflating it,” Martinez said. “The locals don’t talk about the virus and I never saw any information about it anywhere.”

Maloy said that Zika is spreading throughout the world and recently there have been outbreaks in Puerto Rico.

“Students need to have mosquito protection when traveling such as being aware of where they sleep especially in open areas, wearing mosquito repellent and closing windows at night if they don’t have window screens,”Maloy said.

Franco said she also tracks current events in countries where the students are studying to inform and help them if there is a threat.</s>In this photo by Sakchai Lalit, Thais hold portraits of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej outside Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok, where the ailing 88-year-old monarch has been treated for years. Several people had gathered at the hospital to pray and burn incense for the king's well-being. Bhumibol is the world's longest-reigning monarch and has been a key unifying figure in the Southeast Asian country. Thais are concerned about the eventual succession as he has been king since 1946 and the crown prince has not earned the same respect as his father. The king's health was described as unstable after he underwent procedures over the weekend to purify his blood and change a tube that drains excess cerebrospinal fluid.</s>Hawaii health officials have confirmed the Big Island's first travel-related case of the Zika virus.

The state Department of Health said Tuesday that the Hawaii County resident recently traveled to the South Pacific and is past the point of being infectious to mosquitoes.

A vector control team was sent to survey the individual's home and workplace for mosquitoes and to treat possible areas of concern.

Officials say there have been no locally acquired Zika cases in Hawaii.

The number of imported Zika cases is expected to increase this year. Health officials are advising travelers to use repellent and avoid mosquitoes when they return from areas with mosquito-borne disease outbreaks.</s>Standard Life Investments (SLI) is strengthening its presence in Singapore with the appointment of a new team and country head.

The Edinburgh-based fund manager said the recruitment of the four-strong team in the country marked a “significant step” in its global growth strategy and commitment to Asia Pacific.

Choon Wah Wong, who was previously senior vice-president at Partners Group in Singapore, will be chief executive of the new office and will also lead a team building a real estate fund management platform in the region.

Ted Roy, deputy fund manager, has relocated from Edinburgh to Singapore to expand the company’s Asia Pacific real estate investment capability as part of the investment.

Rod Paris, chief investment officer at SLI, said: “Building presence on the ground in Singapore allows us to be closer to investors and gain deeper insight into regional markets.”

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The World Health Organization warns that the Zika virus will continue to spread across Asia with cases already reported in Singapore and Thailand.