Zika Virus in India and Prevention

There is no case of Zika virus disease have been reported in India. The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has been regularly reviewing the preventive measures against Zika virus. An action plan has been prepared to manage Zika virus disease and shared with all the States/UTs. The representative of the State Governments/UTs have been briefed on the action plan. Advisories have been issued to the States for intensification of vector control measures. Guidelines for integrated vector management for control of Aedes mosquito, the vector for Zika, have been issued. All these documents have also been made available on the website of the Ministry.

Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme has sensitized its State and District Rapid Response Teams. National Centre for Disease Control has been identified as the nodal agency for investigation of outbreak. All the International Airports and Sea Ports have displayed signages for providing information to travellers on Zika Virus Disease. 23 laboratories have been identified and strengthened to test Zika Virus Disease. The ICMR network of laboratories are testing pre-determined clinical samples from fever cases that have been found negative for Dengue and Chikungunya fever. ICMR laboratories are also testing Aedes mosquitoes for the presence of Zika Virus. The Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram is monitoring microcephaly cases through 55 identified sentinel sites. Central Health Education Bureau in Directorate General of Health Services has evolved risk communication strategy. They have also developed risk communication materials to be rolled out at appropriate time. A travel advisory has been issued. National Blood Transfusion Council has re-issued its guidelines for blood donation by those who had travelled to Zika affected countries. A 24×7 control room is functioning from Directorate General of Health Services. The situation is being monitored on regular basis.