Lok Sabha Question No. 287 (STARRED), answered on 2019-07-12
Subject: Zika, Encephalitis and Other Viral Diseases
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Kunhalikutty P.K., Jyotsna Charandas Mahant

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 287 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12 TH JULY , 2019

## ZIKA, ENCEPHALITIS A ND OTHER VIRAL DISEA SES

## *287. SHRI P.K. KUNHALIKUTTY: SHRIMATI JYOTSNA CHARANDAS MAHANT:

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

- (a) whether according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), some cases Zika, Encephalitis and other viruses have been reported in India ;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  made  adequate  arrangements  for  treatment Zika, Encephalitis and other similar viral diseases in the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

- (a) to ( d):  A statement is laid on the Table of the House

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 287* FOR 12 TH JULY , 2019

(a)&  (b): Yes . World  HealthOrganization  ( WHO) , on  26 th May  2017, has reported 3 cases of Zika Virus disease from Ahmedabad, Gujarat ,based on the report  by  Government  of  India  to  them.  As  on  date , the  state - wise  laboratory confirmed cases of Zika Virus diseases reported since 2016 a re as under:

| States/UTs     |   2016 |   2017 |   2018 |
|----------------|--------|--------|--------|
| Gujarat        |      1 |      2 |      1 |
| Tamil Nadu     |      0 |      1 |      0 |
| Madhya Pradesh |      0 |      0 |    130 |
| Rajasthan      |      0 |      0 |    159 |
| Total          |      1 |      3 |    290 |

(c) & (d)Government of India initiated Integrated Disease Surveillan Programme (IDSP) in all States/UTs with the objective to detect and respon disease outbreaks due to epidemic - prone diseases including Zika and other virus diseases. Weekly data on morbidity for epidemic - prone diseases is collected and analyzed to detect early r ising phase of disease outbreaks, which is reported an responded to by trained districts/state level Rapid Response Teams (RRTs).

There  is  no  treatment  available  for  Zika  virus  infection  or  its  ass diseases. The patients are provided symptomatic tr eatment which is provided in public health facilities. Pregnant women living in areas with Zika transmis who develop symptoms of Zika virus infection are monitored specifically in of association of Zika virus disease with microcephaly.

Encephalitis  including  Japanese  Encephalitis  (JE)  cases  are  monito through  regular  surveillance  system  by  National  Vector  Borne  Disease  Cont Programme. There are various causes for encephalitis but primarily in India cases relates to JE. Govern ment of India has approved multiprongedstrategy for prevention and control of Japanese Encephalitis for the 60 high burden distr 5 states under which following provision have been made:

- JE vaccination campaign in children (1 - 15 years) foll owed by introduction of routine immunization in children of new cohorts with 2 doses of vac one at 9 months age and second at the age of 16 - 24 months of age.
- Adult JE vaccination in identified districts.
- Strengthening  of  Physical  Medicine  Rehabilitati on  (PMR)  Departments  in identified Medical Colleges of 5 states.
- Establishment of sentinel sites where JE diagnostic kits are available cost.
- Strengthening  of  Information,  Education  and  Communication  (IEC)  / Behavioral Change Communication (BCC) ac tivities.

Similarly, for other vector borne diseases, Government of India supports st terms  of  surveillance  and  testing  and  guide  with  respect  to  standard management guidelines to be followed in case of viral infections.