Several Southeast Asian nations have raised their respective alerts against the possible outbreak of the Zika virus in the region, various media reports said.

The alerts were issued after new cases of Zika virus infections were reported in Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines. Health experts have warned that Asia could the next area of widespread outbreaks of the virus after South and Central America, including the U.S., said Sino.

Health experts described the situation in Southeast Asia, particularly in countries with a tropical environment, 'a ticking time bomb.' Many countries in the region are densely populated and could be fertile breeding grounds for mosquitos, the main carriers of the Zika virus.

In Singapore, the number of Zika virus cases jumped to 275 in just ten days when the outbreak was first reported on August 27, alarming the countries country's Ministry of Health, reported Asian Scientist.

On September 6, 17 new cases of locally transmitted Zika virus infection were reported in Singapore.

"Zika may spread to other areas of Southeast Asia but to what level is difficult to predict. Warmer climates lead to more mosquitoes. Wherever there is a vector, there is a possibility that it might be introduced into that geographical area," the web site quoted Irani Thevarajan, an infectious diseases physician based at the Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity in Melbourne, as saying.

The Lancet Infectious Diseases published a new model showing China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Bangladesh, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan as countries expected to be at greatest risk of Zika virus epidemic.

The Philippines' Department of Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial confirmed on Tuesday that two more persons in the central part of the country, tested positive for Zika virus, bringing to eight the number of recorded cases in the region, reported GMA News.

Ubial said, "Because they have mild infection, none if them required hospitalization," and added, "As of this press conference, they have no more signs and symptoms... We're still monitoring their blood and urine to find out if they are still positive. In the meantime, they are home quarantined, so they stay at home."

Stay tuned for the latest news on the Zika virus in Southeast Asia.