Govt issues health advisory to states after Maharashtra reports 7 Zika virus cases

The Zika virus disease is transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, which is also known to transmit infections like dengue and chikungunya

The Union Health Ministry on July 3 issued an advisory to states after Zika virus cases were reported from Maharashtra. On July 2, a 55-year-old woman was detected with Zika virus injection in Pune, taking the number of cases to seven.

In view the rising number of Zika virus cases being reported, states have been urged to maintain a state of constant vigil through screening of pregnant women for Zika virus infection and monitoring the growth of foetus of expecting mothers who tested positive for Zika.

Health facilities and hospitals have been instructed by the Union Health Ministry to identify a nodal officer to monitor and act to keep the premises aedes mosquito-free, according to a government press release.

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Further, states have been told to strengthen entomological surveillance and intensify vector control activities in residential areas, workplaces, schools, construction sites, institutions, and health facilities.

States must also immediately report any detected case to Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC).

The advisory issued by Director General of Health Services Dr Atul Goel also urged states to promote awareness through precautionary IEC messages in social media and other platforms to reduce panic among the community, as Zika is like any other viral infection with most cases being asymptomatic and mild.

Though, it is reported to be associated with microcephaly, no report of any Zika associated microcephaly has been reported in the country since 2016.

Zika is an Aedes mosquito-borne viral disease like dengue and chikungunya. Though non-fatal, Zika is associated with microcephaly (a condition where the head is much smaller than expected) in babies born to affected pregnant women which makes it a cause of major concern.

Zika testing facility is available at National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune; National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Delhi and a few selected virus research and diagnostic laboratories of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Reviews are being held at higher level.