Thirteen cases of Zika virus infection till July 22 this year: Rajya Sabha member Anupriya Patel
The Hindu
Zika Virus: India’s response to the virus outbreak includes surveillance, action plans, technical guidelines, and budgetary support for preventive activities.
Thirteen cases of Zika virus — 3 from Karnataka and 10 from Maharashtra — were reported till July 22 this year, Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel told the Rajya Sabha on July 30.
In 2023, 2022, and 2021, the country had seen 23, 2, and 234 cases of Zika virus.
In 2018, 261 cases were reported in the country, according to the data from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) portal.
“The Centre has formulated an ‘Action Plan for managing Zika Virus Disease,’” Ms. Patel said in a written reply.
The plan gives detailed guidance on various public health actions that need to be taken in case of an outbreak of the disease and it has been widely disseminated.
Ms. Patel said technical guidelines for Integrated Vector Management and effective community participation have been disseminated to the states for implementation.
Under National Health Mission, budgetary support is provided to States and Union Territories for preventive activities such as deploying domestic breeding checkers, ASHA, insecticide, fogging machines, conducting training, and carry out awareness activities.