A senior official stated that Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh has so far reported 123 cases of Zika virus, of which 96 are active. According to the news agency ANI, “Kannauj reported 1 case of Zika virus and Lucknow reported 3 cases. We are taking the necessary measures and conducting contact tracing,” said Amit Mohan Prasad, another chief secretary (health). On October 23, a warrant officer of the Indian Air Force (IAF) tested positive for Zika virus, and Kanpur discovered the first case of Zika virus.

The number of cases has increased in the past few weeks. Last week, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met with health officials in Kanpur to review the Zika virus situation in the city. Adityanath has instructed the state health department to ensure strict monitoring and conduct frequent and extensive door-to-door disinfection and atomization activities to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. The Federal Ministry of Health and Family Welfare also sent a high-level multidisciplinary team to Uttar Pradesh after Kanpur reported the first case of Zika virus disease.

The Ministry of Health said in a statement that a multidisciplinary team has been deployed to assist state health authorities in the control and containment of Zika virus disease. The team is composed of entomologists, public health experts and gynecologists from the National Vector-borne Disease Control Program, the National Center for Disease Control and RML Hospital in New Delhi.

The ministry stated that the team will work closely with the state health department to assess the local situation and assess whether its Zika virus management action plan is being implemented. The statement also said that it will also recommend necessary public health interventions for Zika virus management in the state.

Officials said the state health department’s team has been carrying out a disinfection program, including spraying anti-larvae and identifying people with fever, screening seriously ill patients and pregnant women, to check the spread of the disease.

Health officials are also required to strengthen surveillance and ensure home sampling and testing for Zika virus. It is caused by a virus mainly transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, which bite during the day. Symptoms of the disease include mild fever, rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, discomfort or headache.

News Source : Hindustan Times