A day after WHO warned that the Zika virus was spreading “explosively” and can affect countries like India, the Centre on Friday set up a technical group to monitor the situation arising out of spread of Zika virus and strengthen its surveillance system.
The panel led by DGHS and experts from the AIIMS and ICMR besides Union Health Ministry will give its recommendations within next two days on preventive steps to check the virus.
The panel came after a meeting led by Health Minister JP Nadda with his enior officials and AIIMS to take stock of the situation in view of the recent cases of Zika Virus being reported from some countries.
“We are closely monitoring the situation and all necessary steps have been initiated to ensure that India is well prepared in case of any eventuality,” the Health Minister said after the meeting.
“We are focusing on especially strengthening the surveillance system,” the Health Minister said as per a statement from the Ministry.
Aedes mosquito which transmits dengue also transmits Zika virus. The Health Minister emphasised that there should be an increased focus on prevention to control the spread of the Aedes mosquito that breeds in clean water.
“Community awareness plays an instrumental role in this regard. There is a need for greater awareness amongst community,” the Health Minister said.
As the Zika virus outbreak spreads in Central and South America, pregnant women in Brazil are the focus of concern because the virus could potentially lead to dangerous birth defects for their newborns.
The virus has been associated with a risk of an alarming birth defect called microcephaly, which is characterised by an abnormally small head and brain.
The virus is new to the country, with the first documented case reported in May 2015. By the end of the year, officials from the Pan American Health Organisation estimated more than 1 million people had become sick with the virus.
The UK, European Union, Australia and Canada have all advised pregnant women to reconsider their travel.