Zika can have devastating effects on unborn babies so it’s best for pregnant women to be especially careful of the disease but that doesn’t mean that everyone else is in the clear. “Some adults can develop Guillain-Barré syndrome, which is a neurological complication that can lead to paralysis in severe cases,” according to Dr Asok.

The virus has been detected in semen and therefore can be transmitted from one sexual partner to another. The WHO recommends that men returning from a place where Zika virus transmission is known to have taken place to wait at least eight weeks before trying to get their partner to conceive. MOH, meanwhile, says sexual partners of pregnant women should practice safe sex methods or abstain from sex altogether.

A major new study on mice indicates that the impact of the Zika infection in other adults could be far more serious and sinister than had previously been thought.
Experiments on adult mice engineered to mimic human Zika infection show that the virus seems to attack immature cells in the adult brain. Those same cells are vital to learning and memory – and so losing them could have disastrous effects, comparable to those experienced by people with Alzheimer’s.

Dr Asok advises people who want to avoid contracting the virus to always protect their exposed skin using insect repellant. Apply repellents only to exposed skin or clothing — never put it on under clothing. Use just enough to cover and only for as long as needed; heavy doses don’t work better.

While insect repellent is effective, it only lasts for a maximum of 8 hours before the user needs to reapply. Dr Asok suggests that people also wear long sleeves and long pants if they truly want to protect themselves against mosquito bites. This is also a good alternative to using chemical-laced repellents if you want to go for an all-natural solution.

The Ministry of Health has warned people to stay away from clusters where Zika infection has taken place. According to the media, the virus has been contained within the Aljunied Crescent and Sims Drive neighbourhood so it’s best to avoid these areas in the meantime to lower your risk of infection.

(Related: 10 Surprising Immunity Boosting Superfoods Found In Your Kitchen)

Your air-conditioner can play a key role in helping you to avoid mosquito bites. The little pests are attracted to body heat and carbon dioxide output but when you are in an air-conditioned setting, your body temperature is regulated meaning that mosquitoes are less likely to bite. Keeping humidity at bay also means that mosquitoes may avoid entering your home as they like hot, damp environments.

Dr Asok says for additional protection against mosquitoes, try investing in window screens that have a fine mesh. Good window screens can keep bugs out of your home, including pesky mosquitoes, while allowing air to still circulate around your home. These screens can sometimes be expensive to install but the long-term gains are plentiful.