The Philippine government yesterday reported three new cases of Zika virus infection, bringing the total of locally-transmitted Zika infections in the country to 15 this year.

Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported that Philippine health secretary Paulyn Ubial said the new cases involved three women from Iloilo City in central Philippines and Antipolo City, just outside Manila.

The 15 cases were confirmed out of 262 suspected Zika virus cases nationwide from Jan 1 to Oct 4, the minister said.

Among them was a 22-year-old pregnant woman from Cebu in central Philippines, she said, adding that the fetus shows no sign of abnormality.

Meanwhile, according to the National Environment Agency of Singapore, the number of confirmed Zika cases in the country has surpassed 400 after two new infections were detected Wednesday.

Local media on Sept 23 reported that 16 pregnant women were among the infected, prompting the Health Ministry to keep close watch on the infected women to provide timely support.

The annual number of microcephaly cases registered in Singapore ranged from five to 12 per 10,000 live births in the country from 2011 to 2014.

However, no microcephaly case caused by Zika has been reported in the country since then.

Zika virus is spread from bites from infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes or sexual intercourse. Common symptoms include fever, skin rash, joint pains, and conjunctivitis.

There is no vaccine to prevent the mosquito-borne virus.

But, medical experts said the symptoms of Zika virus can be treated with common pain and fever medicine, rest and water.

- Bernama