In the latest update from Uttar Pradesh, the government has released an alert for the Zika virus in the state. They have further issued an advisory after the first case was detected in Kanpur over the weekend.
Chief Medical Officers To Keep A Track
As per the official order issued by Ved Vrat Singh who is the Director General of the Department of Health and Family Welfare, all the chief medical officers in the state have been asked to keep track of the cases. Meanwhile, a laboratory at King George’s Medical University has been instructed to conduct the tests.
The advisory further has called for general preparedness to tackle the Zika virus cases and follow the orders from the Union Health Ministry. Singh appealed to the people to not panic and adopt simple and effective preventive measures to check the spread.
ALSO READ: Zika virus detected in Kanpur, Centre sends high-level team
Zika virus is transmitted to the people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. These are the same mosquitoes that also cause dengue and chikungunya. However, it is only contagious via sexual contact.
The CDC suggests that women are contagious up to eight weeks if they have had been infected by the Zika virus symptoms. And men are contagious for up to six months. The symptoms include fever and chills, skin rash, joint pain and red eyes. Even though, the Zika fever is mild, it can cause severe birth defects in the unborn children.
57 Year Old Tests Positive For Zika Virus
The Union Health Ministry on Monday rushed a multi-disciplinary team to UP where a case of the Zika virus was reported. A 57 year old man had tested positive for the viral disease on October 22.
To keep track of the situation, a high level team comprising of an entomologist, public health specialists and gynaecologist from the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, RML Hospital and National Centre for Disease Control will work closely with the state health department.
In a statement, the ministry further said it would also be assessed whether the Centre’s Action Plan for Zika management was being implemented. The team would further recommend necessary public health interventions for containing the spread of the virus in the state.
