With over 40 cases of locally-transmitted Zika virus reported in Singapore, the Philippine health department is on alert.

In an interview Monday, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said:“We are testing only symptomatic travelers from endemic countries. So now, Singapore flights will be among those to be closely-monitored for Zika symptoms. So far, no positive.”

Once found to have symptoms of Zika virus, Ubial said persons will be sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa City.

Ubial said those travelers who did not show symptoms will be asked to notify the health department if symptoms appear inside two weeks after their arrival. DMS

On Saturday, the Singaporean government announced its first case of the mosquito-borne illness involving a 47-year-old Malaysian woman.

But on Sunday, 40 more cases were reported involving people with no travel history in Zika-affected areas.

Ubial urged Filipinos in Singapore, especially those pregnant or planning to get pregnant, to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes. DMS