WHAT IS HAPPENING THESE DAYS?
According to a Health Ministry official, 29 people have so far been tested positive for the disease in Rajasthan. There was no need to panic and everything was under control, the ministry said.
NOTE
ICMR, National Centre for Disease Control and DGHS are monitoring this. I assure people that everything is under control. There’s no need to panic,” Nadda said.
WHAT IS ZIKA VIRUS?
Zika virus is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito from the Aedes genus, mainly Aedes aegypti in tropical regions.
This is the same mosquito that transmits dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever.
However, sexual transmission of Zika virus has been described in 2 cases, and the presence of the Zika virus in semen in 1 additional case.
SHOULD INDIA WORRY?
- The guidelines call for pregnant women who have traveled to Zika-affected areas to mention their travel during antenatal visits to be assessed and monitored appropriately.
- For enhancing surveillance, the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), through its community and hospital-based data gathering mechanism, would keep track of areas where a large number of cases of acute fever are reported.
- There are no vaccines or cure for Zika virus.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ZIKA VIRUS.
- The incubation period (the time from exposure to symptoms) of Zika virus disease is not precise but is likely to be a few days.
- People infected with Zika may have a mild fever, skin rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain and fatigue that can last for two to seven days. But as many as 80 percents of people infected never develop symptoms.
- The symptoms are similar to those of dengue or chikungunya, which are transmitted by the same type of mosquito.
- These symptoms are usually mild and last for 2-7 days.
SEXUAL TRANSMISSION POSSIBLE
The virus can be transmitted through anal, oral or vaginal sex.
ZIKA VIRUS DIAGNOSIS
- Zika virus diagnosis can only be confirmed by laboratory testing for the presence of Zika virus RNA in the blood or other body fluids, such as urine or saliva.
- Infection with Zika virus may be suspected based on symptoms and recent history (e.g. residence or travel to an area where Zika virus is known to be present).
BE SAFE
- Using insect repellent regularly.
- Wearing clothes (preferably light-colored) that cover as much of the body as possible;
- Using physical barriers such as window screens, closed doors, and windows;
- If needed, additional personal protection, such as sleeping under mosquito nets during the day.
- It is essential to empty, clean or covers containers regularly that can store water, such as buckets, drums, pots etc.
- Other mosquito breeding sites should be cleaned or removed including flower pots, used tires and roof gutters. Communities must support the efforts of the local government to reduce the density of mosquitoes in their locality.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) said the sexual transmission is “relatively common” and has advised pregnant women not to travel to areas with ongoing outbreaks of Zika virus.
Latest Burning Issues | Free PDF
WhatsApp