Punjabnewsline, Chandigarh:
Hardly anyone would have forgotten the period of Corona, but now a new virus has been found, regarding which the Ministry of Health has issued an advisory to all the states. According to the information, after cases of a virus named Zika were found in Maharashtra, the Union Health Ministry has issued an advisory to all the states.
The Health Ministry has asked the states to keep continuous surveillance through examination of infection in pregnant women and monitoring of fetal development of pregnant mothers who test positive for Zika. Health facilities and hospitals have been directed to identify a nodal officer to monitor and take action to keep the premises free from Aedes mosquitoes.
The advisory also mentions that the states should strengthen entomological surveillance and intensify vector control activities in residential areas, workplaces, schools, construction sites, institutions and health facilities. On July 1, six people, including two pregnant women, have been found infected with Zika virus infection in Pune. Four cases were reported in the city's Erandwane area and two in Mundhwa area. The virus is transmitted by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, which is also known to transmit infections such as dengue and chikungunya. The virus was first identified in Uganda in 1947.
In pregnant women, the Zika virus can cause microcephaly (a condition in which the head is significantly smaller due to abnormal brain development) in the foetus.