ProMASS News Bureau, Jan 29, 2016:
The government has set up a Technical Expert Group to suggest measures to deal with Zika virus.The virus, spread by Aedes mosquitoes, has been linked to brain defects in babies.
Meanwhile, Union Health Minister J P Nadda today Chaired a high level meeting in New Delhi with his Ministry’s officials and representatives from AIIMS and National Institute of Virology and took stock of the situation in view of the recent cases of Zika Virus reported from Latin American countries. Talking exclusively to AIR, Mr Nadda said, the expert group has been asked to submit its report soon so that the government could take steps accordingly.
Mr Nadda said, so far not a single case of the virus has been reported in the country. He said, the Health Ministry has strengthened its surveillance system and focusing on its preventives and preparedness strategies to tackle the virus.
The Health Minister also emphasised that there should be an increased focus on prevention to control the spread of the Aedes mosquito that breeds in clean water.
Health Minister J P Nadda today chaired a high level meeting in New Delhi on Jan 29 on the outbreak of ZIKA Virus. The meeting is significant in the the wake of the virus in the Americas this year. The virus, spread by mosquitoes, has been linked to brain defects in babies.
A high level technical group is being set up with immediate effect to monitor the Zika virus situation globally and advise the Ministry accordingly. The Minister directed Health Ministry officials to strengthen the Surveillance system for Zika virus and take preventive steps for mosquito free environment.
World Health Organisation Director General Dr Margaret Chan said Zika had gone from a mild threat to one of alarming proportions. She has set up a Zika emergency team after the explosive spread of the virus. It will meet on Monday to decide whether Zika should be treated as a global emergency.The last time an international emergency was declared was for the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, which had killed more than 11 thousand people.
