Zika Virus is a new concern in Kerala, as nearly 15 cases have been reported from the region— one case was reported from the region adjacent to Tamil Nadu–Kerala border and other cases have been reported in the Tiruvandhapuram district of Kerala
The state government has also formulated an action plan to check the spread of the virus. As a measure, the Centre has also sent an expert team to monitor the Zika virus disease in southern states.
The neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu has also intensified the vigil near the TN – Kerala borders to keep the contagion under check. Tight vigilance has been set up at 15 points of borders and check posts in both the states. E-pass is also a mandatory requirement for travelling from Kerala to Tamil Nadu.
Kerala’s health minister Veena George will hold a meeting with health officials, experts, government officials and other senior experts to chart out the plan to tackle the Zika virus. In the meeting, they will also be discuss the spread of the Covid-19 Delta variant in the state, sources said.
The Zika Virus Disease (ZVD) arrives along with the symptoms like fever, rashes, conjunctivitis and joint pain. However, few people die from ZVD and only one in five develops symptoms. The doctors who treated the first Zika virus patient in Kerala have said that the Zika virus is not a very big concern.
As the cases have been reported in Kerala only, the neighbouring states Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are also on high alert. Both the governments are taking multiple steps to ensure that the cases don’t affect the neighbouring states.
“We are stepping up special vigil to monitor the mosquito-borne disease. Coronavirus is the most common infection in the current stage. If the person continues to have fever and headache symptoms, they will be tested for dengue first. If they test negative in the dengue test, then we will forward the samples to the National Institute of Virology for testing for the Zika Virus. But if the Zika Virus is reported in Tamil Nadu, the state government will take steps for the prevention of it. I have already been in touch with all district collectors across Tamil Nadu and we have informed them to monitor the mosquitoes spreading in all districts,” said Tamil Nadu Health Secretary Dr. Radhakrishnan.