Centre urges citizens to avoid travel to Zika-affected nations

The Centre on Tuesday advised citizens against non-essential travel to countries affected by Zika and urged pregnant women to defer or cancel such visits.

Guidelines issued by the health ministry on combating the deadly virus also urged travellers to affected countries to take strict protective measures like using mosquito repellants. People with diabetes and hypertension were asked to seek medical advice before travelling to affected countries.The disease spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito -- which commonly transmits the dengue virus -- has been reported in 22 countries and territories in the Americas. The virus is known to cause microcephaly, in which newborns have underdeveloped skulls and brains.

The ministry's guidelines on Zika come a day after World Health Organization declared a global emergency.

The health ministry said that all international airports and ports will display signage with information on the disease. Travellers will be asked to report to customs if they are returning from affected countries and suffering from febrile illness, it added.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda said he has asked for steps to be taken to prevent entry and transmission of the virus in India .

The overall situation will be monitored by a 'joint monitoring group' under Director General of Health Services (DGHS) while the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) would identify the research priorities and take appropriate action.