Our Correspondent /
The Government of India has issued detailed guidelines to tackle o Zika Virus Disease in the wake of reported cases in Americas. Zika virus disease is transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito and it is linked to brain defects in babies. This is the same mosquito that is known to transmit infections like dengue and chikungunya.
In the guidelines, Health Ministry has advised the pregnant women to defer or cancel their travel to the affective countries.It said, all international airports and ports will display signage with information on the disease. The travellers have been asked to report to customs if they are returning from affected countries and suffering from febrile illness.
In a tweet, Health Minister J P Nadda said that all concerned agencies have been instructed to take steps for preventing entry and transmission of the virus. The Minister said, vector control, community participation and effective surveillance, sufficient diagnostic capacity and risk communication are the key elements of the strategy to control Zika Virus in the country. Mr Nadda said, no case of the virus has been reported in the country.
Zika virus was first identified in Uganda in 1947. A majority of those infected with Zika virus disease either remain asymptomatic or show mild symptoms of fever, rash, conjunctivitis, body ache and joint pains. So far, 23 countries including Brazil, Barbados, Bolivia and Columbia have reported Zika Virus disease.
According to the Health Ministry, at present no vaccine or drug is available to treat Zika virus disease. The Ministry has advised either to cancel or defer non- essential travel to the affected countries. Health Minister has said that the government is fully geared to tackle the Virus.and there is no need to panic.