Zika Virus Outbreak: 22 Tested Positive in Rajasthan, Centre Deploys Special Team to Control Spread
A total of 22 positive laboratory-confirmed cases have been detected. A control room has been activated at the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to undertake regular monitoring of the situation.
Jaipur, October 8: About 22 people have been tested positive of Zika virus, a mosquito-borne infectious disease, in Rajasthan. The Health Ministry on Monday informed that the outbreak in Jaipur was detected through the ICMR surveillance system and precautionary measures are being taken by the Centre followed by daily monitoring. "A total of 22 positive laboratory-confirmed cases have been detected. A control room has been activated at the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to undertake regular monitoring of the situation," said the ministry in a statement. Zika Virus Disease: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment of The Mosquito-Borne Infection.
The Rajasthan government issued an alert after the first case of Zika virus was reported from Jaipur after an 85-year-old Shakuntala Devi, a resident of Shastri Nagar was detected with Zika Virus. Here's what the Zika virus looks like.
Zika virus disease is an emerging disease currently being reported by 86 countries worldwide. Symptoms of Zika virus disease are similar to other viral infections such as dengue, and include fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, and headache. Here's How Zika Virus Strips Immune Cells of Their Identity.
Union Health Minister JP Nadda deputed a 7-member high-level Central team to Jaipur immediately following detection of the first case to assist State Government in control and containment measures. The government in its release informed that additional testing kits are provided to the Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratories and the State Government has been supplied with IEC material prepared to create awareness about Zika virus disease and its prevention strategies. Is This How The Zika Virus Looks? High Resolution Image of The Pathogen Can Hold Clues To Its Prevention.
Meanwhile, all pregnant mothers in the area are being monitored through NHM and an extensive surveillance and vector control measures are being taken up in the area as per protocol by the state government.
On Sunday, the Bihar government has issued a Zika Virus alert across the 38 districts of the state after a 22-year-old from Bihar's Siwan, studying in Jaipur was tested positive for the vector-borne disease.
In India, the first outbreak was reported in Ahmedabad in January and February 2017 and second outbreak in July 2017 from Krishnagiri District in Tamil Nadu. Both these outbreaks were successfully contained through intensive surveillance and vector management. The disease continues to be on disease surveillance radars of Union Health Ministry although it is no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concern vide WHO notification since 18th November 2016.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 08, 2018 09:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).