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1 DISCLAIMER This paper was submitted to the Bulletin of the World Health Organization and was posted to the Zika open site, according to the protocol for public health emergencies for international concern as described in Christopher Dye et al. ( The information herein is available for unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided that the original work is properly cited as indicated by the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Intergovernmental Organizations licence (CC BY IGO 3.0). RECOMMENDED CITATION Yung CF, Tam CC, Rajadurai VS, Chan JKY, Low MSF, Ng YH et al. Rapid assessment of Zika virus knowledge among clinical specialists in Singapore: a cross-sectional survey [Submitted]. Bull World Health Organ. E-pub: 05 Aug doi: Rapid assessment of Zika virus knowledge among clinical specialists in Singapore: a cross-sectional survey Chee Fu Yung, a Clarence C Tam, b Victor S Rajadurai, c Jerry KY Chan, d Mabel SF Low, b Yong Hong Ng, e Koh Cheng Thoon, a Lay Kok Tan f a Infectious Disease Service, Department of Paediatrics, KK Women s and Children s Hospital, Singapore b Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health National University of Singapore, 12 Science Drive 2, Singapore c Department of Neonatology, KK Women s and Children s Hospital, Singapore d Department of Reproductive Medicine, KK Women s and Children s Hospital, Singapore e Nephrology Service, Department of Paediatrics, KK Women s and Children s Hospital, Singapore f Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore Correspondence to Clarence Tam ( clarence_tam@nuhs.edu.sg) (Submitted:4 August 2016 Published online: 5 August 2016) Page 1 of 15

2 Abstract Objective We report the results of a rapid assessment of Zika virus awareness among key clinical specialties in Singapore. Methods Between June 6 and June 19, 2016 we conducted an online survey of doctors working in obstetrics and gynaecology, neonatology and paediatrics in Singapore. The survey included 15 multiple choice questions to measure respondents' knowledge of Zika virus in four domains covering clinical and public health. Findings A total of 110 survey responses (15% response rate) were obtained, 82% of respondents worked in the public sector. Overall, the median respondent score was 9.4 (Max score=15), with substantial variation (range: ). Microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome were recognised as causal complications of Zika virus infection by 99% and 50% of respondents respectively. Clinical features which could help differentiate Zika from Dengue were less well understood with 50% and 68% correctly identifying conjunctivitis and low grade fever respectively. Worryingly, 14% favoured non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as part of treatment, without first excluding dengue as a diagnosis. Also, only 36% of respondents were aware of the current recommendation for preventing sexual transmission of Zika virus. Fewer than 50% were aware of the need for ophthalmological evaluation as part of congenital Zika virus infection. Conclusion Our assessment demonstrates that there is good awareness of the clinical manifestation of Zika virus disease among key specialty doctors, but confusion with Dengue disease remains. It also highlights knowledge gaps in the prevention of sexually-transmitted Zika virus infection and the clinical management of congenital Zika virus infection in newborns. Our study identified strategic areas to improve communication to front-line doctors during public health response to the Zika epidemic. What was already known about the topic concerned? Since the PHEIC declaration, guidelines for the testing and clinical management of Zika virus disease and associated complications have been issued and repeatedly updated by WHO and the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The fast-changing nature of the epidemic and evolving knowledge base present challenges in public health communication to front-line clinicians. To date there has not been an evaluation of Zika virus awareness and knowledge levels amongst doctors from key specialties managing patients likely to be affected by Zika virus. As many uncertainties remain, doctors need to be equipped with the latest information to minimize anxiety and ensure patients are properly informed to make difficult decisions in the management of Zika virus disease. What new knowledge the manuscript contributes? Our rapid assessment identified good levels of Zika virus disease knowledge among key specialty doctors in Singapore. Knowledge levels in lower-income countries with limited public health systems and access to information via the internet may be much lower for Page 2 of 15

3 such a rapidly-evolving epidemic. We have identified specific key areas for targeted improvements when communicating Zika virus disease knowledge to frontline doctors. We recommend that future guidelines emphasise clinical signs and symptoms which differentiate Zika virus disease from similar conditions such as dengue, particularly in countries with endemic dengue virus transmission. Similarly, greater emphasis in information sources on not using NSAIDS as a treatment option unless dengue has been excluded is also needed. There is an urgent requirement to improve doctor s knowledge on the need to advice at risk patients to practise safe sex or abstain from sexual intercourse for the duration of the pregnancy. In addition, there is a need to better educate doctors in the key specialties regarding the need for ophthalmic evaluations in congenital Zika virus infection as well as the appropriate use of Zika virus diagnostic tests and their current limitations. Page 3 of 15

4 Introduction On February 1, 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in relation to the then suspected association between Zika virus infection and microcephaly (1). A causal association between Zika virus infection and microcephaly (2 4), and other neurological complications such as Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) (5, 6), has since been established on the basis of accumulating clinical and epidemiological evidence. Although the epidemic of microcephaly has been primarily focused in the northeastern part of Brazil, widespread international travel, the expansive geographic range of the Zika virus vectors, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, and increasing evidence of the potential for Zika virus transmission through sexual contact, means that spread of Zika virus and associated complications to new regions is of global concern. To date, 60 countries report ongoing mosquito-borne transmission of Zika virus, while microcephaly and other central nervous system malformations putatively associated with Zika virus infection have been reported from 11 countries (7). In three of these, microcephaly has been reported in foetuses or infants of mothers with a recent history of travel to a Zikaaffected country. Singapore, a tropical country with extensive international travel links, established Aedes mosquito populations and year-round, endemic transmission of dengue and chikungunya virus, is at potentially high-risk for introduction of Zika virus. The first imported case of Zika virus was reported in May 13, 2016 in a 48 year-old man who had recently returned from Sao Paulo, Brazil. Imported cases have also been reported in neighbouring countries with the potential to support autochthonous Zika virus transmission, and previous circulation of Zika virus has been documented in other nearby countries, including Cambodia, Thailand and Lao People's Democratic Republic.(8) Since the PHEIC declaration, guidelines for the testing and clinical management of Zika virus disease and associated complications have been issued and repeatedly updated by WHO and the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC). In Singapore, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has sent out three information updates via as well as letters to all registered doctors as of June 1, 2016, which included public health information such as mandating the notification of suspected Zika virus disease and interim clinical management guidelines for Zika virus disease in pregnant women. Mass media and information access in Singapore are easily and conveniently accessible. As a dengue-endemic country, the risk of a Zika epidemic occurring has been reported by local media and the government. Medical practitioners are familiar with accessing information via the internet, including US CDC and WHO websites. Therefore, levels of Zika virus awareness among medical practitioners in Singapore should be representative of a standard that is realistically achievable in high-income countries as well as lower-resource settings with similar infrastructure for disseminating and receiving health information. We report the results of a rapid assessment of Zika virus awareness among key clinical specialties in Singapore, with the aim of identifying gaps in knowledge and opportunities for improving communication on Zika virus disease management and control policies. Page 4 of 15

5 Methods Study participants and sites Between June 6 and June 19, 2016 we conducted an online survey of doctors working in obstetrics and gynaecology, neonatology and paediatrics in Singapore. A link to the online survey was disseminated by to the relevant doctors at KK women s and Children s Hospital and Singapore General Hospital, two large public hospitals in Singapore. Together they cater for approximately 50% of women s and children s hospital care in Singapore. To capture responses from doctors working in the private sector, the survey was also sent to members of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Society of Singapore and the College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Singapore. The survey was anonymous and could be completed in about 10 minutes on a computer or mobile device. In order to make the survey educational, respondents were given a summary of relevant recommendations after they responded to each question. Respondents did not receive any incentive to complete the survey. Data collection The survey included 5 questions regarding respondents' age group, sex, primary specialty, professional designation (Registrar/Resident, Associate Consultant or Consultant/Senior Consultant) and practice setting (public or private sector). In addition, 15 multiple choice questions were included to measure respondents' knowledge of Zika virus in four domains: (1) Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis and Management; (2) Transmission and Prevention; (3) Clinical Management of Pregnant Mothers Potentially Infected with Zika and Infants with Microcephaly; and (4) Ministry of Health Requirements for Notification of Suspected Zika Virus Infection. Of necessity, the survey was not an exhaustive set of questions, but was designed to capture general awareness of key knowledge and guidelines under these four domains. Respondents had to provide a response to every question in order to complete the survey. Data analysis We summarized correct responses to each question using frequencies and percentages. In addition, survey responses were given a score of 0 to 15 based on the number of questions that were answered correctly. For some questions, respondents could choose more than one option (e.g. "Which types of mosquitoes are known to transmit Zika virus?"), so each question contributed a maximum of 1 mark to the total score, weighted by the number of possible correct options for that question. Scores were computed overall and for each of the four questionnaire domains. To compare levels of knowledge across domains, we normalised scores for each domain by dividing each respondent's score by the maximum possible score for that domain, such that scores for each domain were scaled betwen 0 and 1. We summarized score distributions using the median, range and interquartile range, and compared scores between categories of respondent age group, sex, medical specialty, professional designation and public/private practice using boxplots and the Kruskal-Wallis test. Response rates were estimated using the number of addresses the survey link was sent to as the denominator. Approval for this study was obtained from the SingHealth Centralised Institutional Review Board (application number 2016/2251). Page 5 of 15

6 Results A total of 110 survey responses were obtained from ing the survey to 747 doctors working in the key specialties of obstetrics and gynaecology, neonatology and paediatrics in Singapore. This represented an overall response rate of about 15%. Respondent characteristics are presented in Table 1. Approximately two-thirds of respondents were female which is consistent with the gender distribution of doctors in the participating specialties, and 56% were aged 30 to 49 years; Residents and Registrars made up half the sample and 82% of respondents worked in the public sector. Neonatology was the most common specialty among respondents (56%). Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis and Management Low-grade fever, rash and muscle or joint pain were each identified as typical symptoms of Zika virus disease by over 68% of respondents; fewer than 50% recognised conjunctivitis as part of the typical clinical presentation. Although signs of haemorrhage/bleeding and high-grade fever are not classical presentations of Zika virus disease, 6% and 37% of respondents respectively selected these. Microcephaly and GBS were recognised as a causal complications of Zika virus infection by 99% and 50% of respondents respectively. The majority of respondents recognised blood (83%) and urine (48%) as primary and secondary samples for Zika virus testing. However, while 67% were aware that polymerase chain reaction (PCR) should be the first-line test for Zika virus identification within the first week of fever onset, 20% stated that both PCR and serology would be expected to be positive. In addition, 29% believed PCR and 40% believed both PCR and serology would also be expected to be positive beyond one week. Nearly all respondents mentioned fever relief medication and fluid rehydration for management of Zika virus disease, but 14% favoured non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which are generally not recommended without first excluding dengue as a diagnosis. Clinical management of pregnant mothers potentially infected with Zika and infants with microcephaly 82% correctly identified CDC's recommendation to test infants (or cord serum) for Zika virus, but only 16% recognized the need to additionally test for dengue virus. 42% believed specific testing of infant cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for Zika virus was warranted; CDC guidelines indicate that CSF should be tested only if collected for other purposes (9). In addition, while 94% of respondents knew that cranial ultrasound was indicated for infants with suspected congenital Zika virus infection, only 57% recognised the need to test for other infections such as rubella, syphilis, toxoplasmosis and cytomegalovirus. Fewer than 50% were aware of the recommendation for ophthalmological evaluation within 1 month after birth. Page 6 of 15

7 Transmission and prevention Most respondents (85%) identified Aedes aegypti as a mosquito vector for Zika virus, but only 32% knew that Aedes albopictus can also transmit the virus. Sexual contact and blood transfusion were recognised as alternative routes of transmission by 75% and 48% of respondents respectively, but 19% and 16% incorrectly mentioned droplet spread and saliva as transmission modes, and 34% mentioned breastfeeding. Nearly all respondents were aware of personal measures to avoid Aedes mosquite bites among pregnant women travellers, such as use of insect repellent and wearing longsleeved clothing. However, there were misconceptions regarding the location and timing of Aedes biting activity; 58% would incorrectly recommend staying away from beaches or forested areas and 47% would incorrectly recommend travellers to avoid going outdoors at night. Only 36% of respondents were aware of the current recommendation for pregnant women and their partners returning from Zika-affected areas to abstain from sexual intercourse or use condoms appropriately throughout the duration of the pregnancy. Ministry of Health Requirements for Notification of Suspected Zika Virus Infection Among respondents, 81% were aware of the need to notify suspected cases of Zika virus disease even in the absence of microbiological confirmation, but there was lack of clarity regarding the definition of a suspected case of Zika virus disease; only 22% of respondents were able to correctly identify local MOH's definition of possible exposure to Zika virus. Domain-level knowledge Overall, the median respondent score was 9.4, with substantial variation (range: ). Compared with the Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis and Management domain, median normalised scores were lower for domains on Transmission and Prevention (p<0.001) and Clinical Management of Pregnant Mothers Potentially Infected with Zika and Infants with Microcephaly (p<0.001) (Figure 1). There was no evidence of difference in scores by medical specialty, professional designation, respondent sex or age group, although statistical power for subgroup comparisons was low. Discussion To our knowledge, this was the first such rapid assessment of key clinical specialty awareness of Zika virus disease guidelines at a national level globally. Our assessment demonstrated that there was good awareness of Zika virus disease signs and symptoms among doctors, but highlighted gaps in awareness of certain recommendations, particularly ones referring to the prevention of sexually-transmitted Zika virus infection in pregnant women, and the management of infants with possible congenital Zika virus disease. Our study identified opportunities for targeted improvement of communication around Zika virus guidelines among front-line doctors. There was a high level of awareness among our sample of doctors with regards to three of the four common signs and symptoms of Zika virus disease. These three signs and symptoms are similar to those for dengue, which is endemic in Singapore. It was likely that the numerous public health and educational campaigns on dengue may have aided the translation of clinical dengue knowledge to Zika virus disease. This could also Page 7 of 15

8 explain the lack of awareness that conjunctivitis, which is less common in dengue cases, is an important distinguishing clinical feature of Zika virus disease. Similarly, 35% of respondents incorrectly chose high-grade fever as a feature of Zika virus disease. These findings suggest that while knowledge of signs and symptoms of Zika virus disease that are similar to dengue may be good, there remains a gap in understanding of clinical features that could help differentiate Zika virus disease from dengue. This is not surprising since most information outlets have repeatedly reported the similarities between the Zika and dengue viruses, which belong to the same flaviviridae virus family and share common mosquito vectors. Furthermore, messages issued by most public health bodies to clinicians provide standard case definitions that do not highlight the distinguishing features of Zika virus disease. There may be a need to change the way such messages are conveyed, with more emphasis given to differentiation rather than a standard listing of signs and symptoms. We detected similar confusion in the clinical management of Zika virus disease that could be attributed to its perceived similarity to dengue. While >85% of respondents correctly stated fever relief medication and fluid rehydration as the main treatment options, a small minority (7%) wrongly chose platelet transfusion as a possible treatment for Zika virus disease. Worryingly, 13% stated that they would consider NSAIDS for managing Zika virus disease. This is not routinely recommended, as consumption of NSAIDS could have grave consequences if a patient with dengue was misdiagnosed as having Zika virus disease. When stratified by medical specialty, the highest percentage selecting this option worked in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (23%). We were not able to exclude the possibility that the respondents who selected this option were aware of the need to exclude dengue before prescribing NSAIDs. Two-thirds of respondents knew that PCR would likely to be positive during the first few days of disease onset, but one-fifth wrongly stated that both PCR and serology testing would be positive. In a follow-up question with a more complicated scenario involving disease onset more than 8 days ago, 40% stated that both PCR and serology would be expected to be positive, while 25% wrongly selected PCR as the test of choice. Taken together, these findings suggest there is a need to improve the level of understanding for Zika virus disease diagnostics. Understanding the utility of PCR and serology in relation to the onset of symptoms is critical to minimise the potential for false positive and false negative diagnoses (10). This technical understanding is needed when developing follow-up management plans for patients. It is also fundamental in helping to effectively communicate the uncertainties of laboratory results to concerned patients. Nearly all respondents correctly identified microcephaly as a condition linked to Zika virus disease. However, only 50% were aware of the confirmed link with GBS. (5,6) This may be due to the fact that our sample s medical specialties were related to foetal, infant and paediatric patients, for which microcephaly is a key area of interest. However, 27% also stated incorrectly that small-for-gestational age (SGA) was also linked to Zika virus disease. Although microcephaly presenting with SGA can occur due to other causes, current data on Zika microcephaly points to a more targeted neurotropic effect preferentially affecting tissues of the brain and brain stem (11). Our analysis also points to gaps in knowledge regarding recommendations to prevent Zika virus infection in pregnant women. In particular, only one third of respondents Page 8 of 15

9 were aware of the current guidelines recommending that pregnant women and their partners returning from Zika-affected areas practise safe sex or abstain from sexual intercourse for the duration of the pregnancy. It was reassuring to find that a high proportion of doctors (>90%) gave correct advice in terms of recommending the use of repellants and long-sleeved clothing to minimize the risk of mosquito bites. However, about half of respondents had misconceptions regarding biting behaviour of Aedes vectors, such as preference for night biting or beach/forest settings. This was surprising considering the numerous dengue education campaigns implemented by the authorities in Singapore, although the focus of these campaigns has been primarily on source eradication to prevent mosquito breeding (12). Limitations We intentionally targeted the survey only at the clinical specialties of obstetrics and gynaecology, neonatology and paediatrics since the nature of the Zika epidemic was most relevant to their patient cohort. Furthermore, in Singapore, pregnant mothers are routinely managed and followed up by obstetricians rather than primary care physicians. Therefore, our results should be considered best case scenarios in terms of knowledge levels amongst doctors. We chose to conduct an online survey as this is a rapid and convenient mode of administration. KK Women s and Children s Hospital is the only public hospital catering specifically only for neonatal, paediatric, obstetrics and gynaecology care in Singapore. We believe that our list reached a significant proportion of doctors practicing in the relevant specialties by also including the Singapore General Hospital (the largest general public hospital in Singapore) as well as those in private practice via the medical societies and colleges. However, we cannot be sure that all the relevant doctors in Singapore were aware of the survey. Of note, participation from the private sector was low, with doctors in private practice comprising only 18% of respondents. We did not detect any obvious difference between public and private sector doctors but our study was not powered for such detailed analysis. However, we do not think awareness and knowledge levels would be lower amongst private practitioners as they also receive the same updates via and SMS from the Ministry of Health. We restricted the time period of the survey to two weeks, to minimise the possibility of official guidelines being altered during the survey period, as public health authorities are continuously reviewing and updating recommendations. During the survey period, the WHO updated its recommendations on sexual transmission of Zika virus, but these did not influence any of the questions in our survey. Our sample size also precluded robust comparison of knowledge between clinical specialties and medical designations, although this was not a primary objective. Despite this, our survey has enabled rapid identification of gaps in knowledge that can be acted upon to improve local as well as global preparedness for management and control of Zika virus disease. Page 9 of 15

10 Recommendations Our rapid assessment identified good levels of Zika virus disease knowledge among doctors in key clinical specialties of obstetrics and gynaecology, neonatology and paediatrics in Singapore. The findings provide a reference threshold in terms of knowledge level among doctors in settings with robust infrastructures to access information for a rapidly-evolving epidemic. Knowledge levels in lower-income countries with limited public health systems and access to information via the internet may be much lower. We have identified specific key areas for targeted improvements when communicating Zika virus disease knowledge to frontline doctors. We recommend that future guidelines emphasize clinical signs and symptoms which differentiate Zika virus disease from similar conditions such as dengue, particularly in countries with endemic dengue virus transmission. Similarly, greater emphasis in information sources on not using NSAIDS as a treatment option unless dengue has been excluded is also needed. There is an urgent requirement to improve doctor s knowledge on the need to advice at risk patients to practise safe sex or abstain from sexual intercourse for the duration of the pregnancy as well as the importance of ophthalmic evaluations in congenital Zika virus infection. In addition, there is still a need to educate doctors in key specialties regarding the appropriate use of Zika virus diagnostic tests and their current limitations, both to minimize the risk of misdiagnosis and to help patients make informed decisions. Acknowledgements We would like to thank Nur Lailati Mukaral, Dayana Eddy, Janet Kok, Ng Mor Jack and Deborah Low Wenli for administrative help with the survey. We are also grateful to our clinical colleagues for taking the time to participate in the survey. Author's contributions CFY, CCT and MLSF designed the study, oversaw the analysis and recruitment. CFY and CT wrote the first draft of the manuscript. VSR, JKYC, YHN, KCT, LKT provided inputs in recruitment and drafting the manuscript. Sources of funding No funding was obtained specifically for this study. JKYC received salary support from Singapore s National Medical Research Council, of the Ministry of Health (NMRC/CSA/043/2012) Competing interests All authors declare no competing interests. Page 10 of 15

11 References 1. Heymann DL, Hodgson A, Sall AA, Freedman DO, Staples JE, Althabe F, et al. Zika virus and microcephaly: why is this situation a PHEIC? Lancet (London, England) [Internet] Feb 20 [cited 2016 Jun 28];387(10020): Available from: 2. Brasil P, Pereira JP, Raja Gabaglia C, Damasceno L, Wakimoto M, Ribeiro Nogueira RM, et al. Zika Virus Infection in Pregnant Women in Rio de Janeiro - Preliminary Report. N Engl J Med [Internet] Mar 4 [cited 2016 Jun 28]; Available from: 3. Paploski IAD, Prates APPB, Cardoso CW, Kikuti M, Silva MMO, Waller LA, et al. Time Lags between Exanthematous Illness Attributed to Zika Virus, Guillain-Barré Syndrome, and Microcephaly, Salvador, Brazil. Emerg Infect Dis [Internet] Aug 15 [cited 2016 Jun 28];22(8). Available from: 4. Cauchemez S, Besnard M, Bompard P, Dub T, Guillemette-Artur P, Eyrolle-Guignot D, et al. Association between Zika virus and microcephaly in French Polynesia, : a retrospective study. Lancet [Internet]. Elsevier; 2016 May [cited 2016 Jun 28];387(10033): Available from: 5. Cao-Lormeau V-M, Blake A, Mons S, Lastère S, Roche C, Vanhomwegen J, et al. Guillain-Barré Syndrome outbreak associated with Zika virus infection in French Polynesia: a case-control study. Lancet [Internet]. Elsevier; 2016 Apr [cited 2016 Jun 28];387(10027): Available from: 6. Yung CF, Thoon KC. Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Zika Virus: Estimating Attributable Risk to Inform Intensive Care Capacity Preparedness. Clin Infect Dis May 25. pii: ciw355. Available from: 7. WHO Zika situation report. WHO [Internet]. World Health Organization; 2016 [cited 2016 Jun 28]; Available from: 8. Yung CF, Chong CY, Yeo KT, et al. Zika Virus: An Evolving Public Health Threat. Ann Acad Med Singapore 2016; 45. Available at: 9. Fleming-Dutra KE, Nelson JM, Fischer M, Staples JE, Karwowski MP, Mead P, et al. Update: Interim Guidelines for Health Care Providers Caring for Infants and Children with Possible Zika Virus Infection United States, February MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep [Internet] Feb 19 [cited 2016 Jun 28];65(7):1 6. Available from: Rabe IB, Staples JE, Villanueva J, Hummel KB, Johnson JA, Rose L, et al. Interim Guidance for Interpretation of Zika Virus Antibody Test Results. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep [Internet] [cited 2016 Jun 28];65(21): Available from: Rasmussen SA, Jamieson DJ, Honein MA, Petersen LR. Zika Virus and Birth Defects--Reviewing the Evidence for Causality. N Engl J Med [Internet] May 19 [cited 2016 Jun 28];374(20): Available from: National Environment Agency. Do the Mozzie Wipeout [Internet]. [cited 2016 Jun 28]. Available from: Page 11 of 15

12 Table 2: Responses to questions in a survey on Zika virus awareness among doctors (obstetrics and gynaecology, neonatology and paediatrics), Singapore 2016 (n = 110) Question n % Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis and Management Which of the following symptoms does Zika virus disease usually present with? Low-grade fever (<38.5 C) % High-grade fever ( 38.5 C) % Maculopapular rash % Conjunctivitis % Muscle/joint pain % Signs of bleeding/haemorrhage 6 5.5% Which of the following samples would you consider as your first choice for Zika virus diagnosis? Blood % Urine % Saliva 8 7.3% Which of the following samples would you consider as your second choice for Zika virus diagnosis? Blood % Urine % Saliva % Cerebrospinal fluid % Semen 7 6.4% A pregnant mother in her first trimester presents with fever that started two days ago. She had just come back from Brazil one week ago. Which of the following tests would you expect to be positive if she was infected with Zika virus? Zika virus serology 9 8.2% Zika virus PCR % Both % Neither 3 2.7% A pregnant mother in her second trimester presents with fever that started 8 days ago. She had just come back from Brazil 10 days ago. Which of the following tests would you expect to be positive if she was infected with Zika virus? Zika virus serology % Zika virus PCR % Both % Neither 6 5.5% What are the options for clinical management of Zika virus disease? Antivirals 9 8.2% Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs % Pain relief medication % Fever relief medication % Fluid rehydration % Platelet transfusion 8 7.3% Which of the following conditions are linked to Zika infection? Congenital cardiac malformations 4 3.6% Microcephaly % Small for gestational age (SGA) % Guillain-Barré syndrome % Page 12 of 15

13 Transmission and Prevention Which types of mosquitoes are known to transmit Zika virus? Culex pipiens 6 5.5% Aedes aegypti % Aedes albopictus % Anopheles gambiae 4 3.6% Which of the following are additional documented modes of transmission for Zika virus? Saliva % Droplet spread % Sexual contact % Blood transfusion % Can Zika virus be transmitted to babies through breastfeeding? Yes % Clinical management of pregnant mothers potentially infected with Zika and infants with microcephaly Which of the following diagnostic tests are indicated for: infants with microcephaly or intracranial calcifications born to women who travelled to or resided in an area with Zika virus transmission while pregnant; OR infants born to mothers with positive or inconclusive test results for Zika virus infection? Test infant or umbilical cord serum for Zika infection % Test infant or umbilical cord serum for Dengue infection % Test infant or umbilical cord serum for Chikungunya infection % Collect infant CSF specifically to test for Zika infection % Collect infant CSF specifically to test for Dengue infection 8 7.3% Collect infant CSF specifically to test for Chikungunya infection 5 4.5% Which of the following clinical evaluation and laboratory tests should be considered for infants with possible congenital Zika virus infection? Cranial ultrasound % Ophthalmologic evaluation before discharge or within 1 month after birth % Ophthalmologic evaluation when 6 months old % Testing for infections such as syphilis, toxoplasmosis, rubella, and cytomegalovirus infection % Testing for infections such as lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection, and herpes simplex virus infections % Hearing evaluation before discharge or within 1 month after birth % Hearing evaluation when 6 months old % If pregnant women choose to travel to Zika-affected countries, what advice should be given to help reduce their risk of getting infected with Zika virus? Use insect repellent % Wear long sleeved clothing and trousers % Wear a face mask when going out % Stay in air-conditioned or screened-in room % Stay away from the beach/forest % Avoid going out at night to minimize risk of bites from mosquitoes that transmit Zika virus % None of the above 3 2.7% What is the current advice on sexual intercourse for a pregnant woman and her partner returning from a Zika virus-affected area and who may have been exposed to the virus? No need to abstain 8 7.3% Abstain or use condoms for 14 days % Abstain or use condoms for 28 days % Abstain or use condoms throughout pregn % Test semen for Zika virus 3 2.7% Page 13 of 15

14 Ministry of Health Requirements for Notification of Suspected Zika Virus Infection Zika virus is a notifiable disease in Singapore Yes, including suspected cases % Yes, confirmed cases only % Not notifiable 1 0.9% According to MOH Singapore guidelines (19 May 2016), which of the following fits the definition of Possible exposure to Zika virus? Correct definition given % Page 14 of 15

15 Figure 1: Domain-level scores among respondents to survey of Zika virus awareness, Singapore 2016 (n = 110) Figure 1 legend: Domain 1: Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis and Management; Domain 2: Transmission and Prevention; Domain 3: Clinical Management of Pregnant Mothers Potentially Infected with Zika and Infants with Microcephaly; Domain 4: Ministry of Health Requirements for Notification of Suspected Zika Virus Infection Page 15 of 15