Lok Sabha Question No. 2615 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-17
Subject: Zika Virus
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: R. VANAROJA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2615 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 TH MARCH, 2017

## ZIKA VIRUS

## 2615. SHRIMATI VANAROJA R.:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is true that India is a potential hotspot for Zika;
- (b) whether it is also true that the disease has been linked to a potentially fatal disor the gillian barre syndrome and if so, the detai ls thereof;
- (c) whether in India every year 80 per cent of people infected are not showing symptoms a risk to babies in the womb is very high; and
- (d) if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE ( SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL )

- (a) : Zika virus disease is an emerging viral disease transmitted through the bite of i Aedes mosquito. The mosquito that transmits Zika virus is widely prevalent in India.
- (b) : Out of 61 countries, territories/subnational areas that have reported ongoing trans of  Zika  virus  disease  from  2015  onwards,  23  countries/territories  have  reported  an  in incidence of Guillain - Barre Syndrome (GBS).
- (c) : Only one in every five persons infected with Zika virus disease are symptomatic. So far only one case of laboratory positive zika virus disease has been detected in Ahmedabad, I part of routine laboratory surveillance in January, 2017.  Required containment measures were taken up as part of protocol and intensified detailed surveillance both in humans and mos in and around Ahmedabad and Gujarat did not show any further positive cases.

Out of 61 countries, territ ories/subnational areas that have reported ongoing transmissio of Zika virus disease from 2015 onwards, 31 countries/territories have reported microc and CNS malformation among new - born babies.

Contd……..

(d) : Government of India has taken adequate measures to prevent/control Zika virus dise outbreak. The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has been regularly reviewing the preventi measures against Zika virus. An action plan has been prepared to manage Zik a virus disease and shared  with  all  the  States/UTs.  The  representative  of  the  State  Governments/UTs  have briefed on the action plan. Advisories have been issued to the States for intensification of vec control measures. Guidelines for integrated ve ctor management for control of Aedes mosquito, the vector for Zika, have been issued. All these documents have also been made available website of the Ministry.

Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme has sensitized its State and District R Response Teams. National Centre for Disease Control has been identified as the nodal ag for  investigation  of  outbreak.  All  the  International  Airports  and  Sea  Ports  have  di 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 laborat are testing pre - determined clinical samples from fever cases that have been found negative f Dengue and Chikungunya fever. ICMR laboratories are also testing Aedes mosquitoes for the presence  of  Zika  Virus.  Child  Health  Division  under  National  Health  Mission  is  monitor microcephaly  cases  through  55  identified  sentinel  sites.  Central  Health  Education  Bure Directorate  General  of  Health Services  has  evolved  risk  communication  strategy.  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 24x7 control ro functionin g from Directorate General of Health Services. The situation is being monitored regular basis.

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