There have been delays in reportage of the virus; authorities must pull up their socks
The first three cases of Zika virus that have been reported in the country, must be a wake-up call for the Health Ministry, and also the State of Gujarat from where the disease has been identified. That the cases were detected between November 2016 and February 2017, and came to the limelight only last month when the World Health Organisation posted the information online, points towards a slack attitude on the part of the officials, if not a zeal to conceal information from the people, especially when the spread of the disease can lead to a major public health concern. That the officials preferred to maintain secrecy, fearing a state of panic, may sound sensible on paper, but it is a weak reason. Anyway, now that the disclosure has been made, it has sent warning bells. While an alarmist approach to declare Zika as a health emergency is not needed, the detection of this virus is a cause of concern because it has a propensity to be transmitted through various forms within no time. Though there has been a delay in the reportage of the cases, now that the matter is on record and is reported, health officials must pull up their socks and take adequate measures to stop its spread. That none of the patients infected with the disease, have travelled anywhere outside the country is good news, but it also makes it abundantly clear that the virus has been transmitted within the boundaries of the country.
Whatever be it, the threat from the mosquito-borne disease is serious because its symptoms are so mild that it is generally undetected in adults. The root to the spread of this virus is through the bite of an Aedes mosquito. However, it can equally be sexually transmitted from an infected person. The biggest danger from Zika is through pregnant women. Infected with this disease, the new-born may have an underdeveloped head, a condition called microcephaly. That one of the affected victims was a pregnant mother, is worrisome. Although the baby she delivered is safe and has showed no symptoms of microcephaly, but the possibility of the disease being detected in the future cannot be ruled out.
Panic, though, may happen to some extent but a disclosure also means that it will lead to an increasing level of awareness among the people and propel them to take preventive measures to stop the spread of the disease. The Government on its part must step up surveillance activities and enhance data collection system. Efforts must also be made to identify the emergence of the disease. The Government must now strictly adhere to the norms prescribed by the World Health Organisation and also utilise all available options to spread awareness about the disease. Prevention and control measures must be taken to reduce breeding grounds for mosquitoes; people must resist from traveling to high risk areas; but overall a greater action plan is the need of hour. Equally, the Government must now keep the World Health Organisation updated.