The Centre on Monday sent an expert team to Uttar Pradesh after the state reported its first case of Zika virus. The patient in Uttar Pradesh in an Indian Air Force from Kanpur, according to India Today.
The government’s team includes an entomologist, gynaecologist and public health specialists.
“The team shall work closely with the State Health Department, take a stock of the situation on the ground and assess whether the Union Health Ministry’s Action Plan for Zika Management is being implemented,” the government said.
Experts on the team will also recommend public health interventions necessary for controlling the disease.
The Zika virus is transmitted primarily by the Aedes mosquitoes, which bite during the day, according to the World Health Organization. It can also be sexually transmitted. Symptoms of the infection include fever, rashes, headache and joint pain.
Kanpur Chief Medical Officer Nepal Singh said that the officer was suffering from fever for several days and was admitted to the Air Force Hospital in the district, reported PTI.
His blood sample was sent for testing to Pune after which it was confirmed that he was infected with the Zika virus, Singh said. The diagnosis was received on October 23, he said.
The medical officer said that the government has started taking precautionary action to check the spread of the virus in his residential area and workplace with the help of 10 teams, reported ANI.
Singh said that at least 200 people who came in contact with the Air Force officer have been isolated. He added that 22 samples of people who came in contact with the patients and those who showed symptoms of infection have been sent examination.
Health and civic bodies’ officials have been put on alert.
Maharashtra and Kerala too have reported cases of the Zika virus this year.
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