The Union Government has send a team of experts to Kerala to monitor the situation regarding the Zika virus.
On June 9, the Union government dispatched a team of experts to Kerala to examine the situation in the aftermath of the Zika virus outbreak. So far, 14 cases have been documented, including a pregnant 24-year-old lady who was diagnosed with the mosquito-borne disease on Thursday. The woman was the first individual in the state to be infected with the virus.
The Union Health Ministry said on Friday that a six-member central team of experts has been despatched to Kerala to monitor the situation and assist the state administration in case management. Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary in the Health Ministry, stated at a press conference in Delhi, “There have been some Zika cases recorded in Kerala. To monitor the situation and assist the state government, a six-member team from AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) comprised of public health experts, vector-borne disease experts, and clinicians has already been dispatched to the area to assist the state government with Zika management.”
The state administration announced on Friday that 13 of the 19 samples provided to the Pune-based institute tested positive for Zika. The symptoms are similar to those of dengue fever, including fever, rashes, and joint pain. Veena George, the state’s health minister, stated that an action plan has been developed to combat the spread of Zika. Pregnant women should get examined if they develop a fever, stated the Minister during a meeting of District Medical Officers (DMOs).
Human flavivirus causes the mosquito-borne infection. The virus is spread via Aedes mosquito bites, which are most common in the early mornings and late evenings. Aedes mosquitos are also responsible for the spread of chikungunya, dengue, and yellow fever. According to the World Health Organization, symptoms will appear three to fourteen days after catching the virus (WHO). So far, 86 nations and territories have reported Zika infection transmitted by mosquitos.
