Since its first reported case a week ago, Singapore has now confirmed 242 cases of the Zika virus. Of the 26 new cases confirmed over the weekend, 24 were linked to existing outbreaks whilst two cases have yet to be linked to any other clusters.
Although it is yet unknown how the virus has spread through the country so rapidly, one theory points to the aedes mosquito. Current tests show that the virus likely developed from a strain of the disease already circulating throughout Southeast Asia, with no links to show that the virus was imported from South America.
The virus is already spreading in other Asian countries – with neighbouring Malaysia being the most recent victim of the virus. The region of Southeast Asia and its humid climate is said to be an excellent breeding ground for the mosquitos that carry the virus.