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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : October 8, 2018 8:44 PM IST
Health Ministry has confirmed 50 cases in Rajasthan © Shutterstock
On Monday, the Health Ministry has confirmed 22 cases of Zika virus in Rajasthan. Now the centre is taking precautionary measures by daily monitoring. According to IANS report, the ministry reportedly said in a statement that a total of 22 positive laboratory-confirmed cases have been detected so far. A control room has been activated at the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to undertake regular monitoring of the situation.
Through the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) surveillance system the present outbreak in Rajasthan's capital Jaipur was detected. And all suspected cases in the defined area and mosquito samples are being tested.
According to the ministry, a 7-member Central team was deputed to Jaipur following detection of the first case. Additional testing kits are provided to the Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratories. A high-level joint monitoring group of technical experts headed by Directorate General Of Health Services (DGHS) has met twice to monitor the preparedness and response measures.
Since October 5, to further oversee and assist containment operations another high-level Central team of the ministry has already been placed in Jaipur. The state government has been supplied with IEC material prepared to create awareness about zika virus disease and its prevention strategies. All pregnant mothers in the area are being monitored through the National Health Mission (NHM).
The health ministry also stated that vector control measures and extensive surveillance are being taken in the area as per protocol by the state government.
In fact, currently, the Bihar government has put Siwan district administration on high alert after a youth from Lalgarh village under Barharia block was found infected with Zika virus in Jaipur. According to News18 report, the name of the youth is Pankaj Chaurasia and he is just 22-year-old. On August 28, he had come to Siwan where he had a fever that subsided. Then on September 12, he returned to Rajasthan and afterwards visited friends in Patna as well.
According to an official, the zika virus has an incubation period of 3-12 days. It appears he contracted the virus in the time that was in Jaipur. However, the state government is holding a high-level meeting to decide further course of action. A medical team has been sent to Siwan to observe the condition of Pankaj and his family.
