Lok Sabha Question No. 1974 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-29
Subject: Zika Virus Infection
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Krupal Balaji Tumane

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1974 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 TH NOVEMBER, 2019

## ZIKA VIRUS INFECTION

## 1974. SHRI KRUPAL BALAJI TUMANE:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether some cases of Zika virus infection have been reported in various parts of the country including Maharashtra as per the World Health Organization;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the num ber of cases of Zika virus infection reported in the country during each of the last three years, State/UT - wise;
- (c) the details of the remedial measures taken by the Government in this regard;
- (d) the number of cases reported wherein people have been infected by the Zika virus from the tears and sweat of another infected individual; and
- (e) the remedial measures taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUB EY)

- (a) & (b) The State/UT -wise details of number of cases of Zika virus infection reported in country during each of the last three years are as under:
- (c): Ministry  of  Health  and  Family  Welfare  took    following  remedial  steps  to  cont spread of Zika virus disease:
- The Zika action plan was implemented in all the affected States.
- Central  teams  were  deployed in  the  affected  States  to  assist  them  in  containment operation.
- Hon'ble Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Senior officers of the Ministry reviewed the situation on regular basis and modulated the action for containment.
- Union Secretary (Health & Family Welfare) reviewed the situation and preparedness to Zika virus disease in all States through video conferencing with the States/UT
- Advisory  were  issued  to  all  States/UTs  to  strengthen  vector  control  activitie surveillance for Zika virus d isease.
- Joint  Monitoring  Group  under  the  chairmanship  of  Director  General  of  Healt Services (DGHS) met regularly to review the current situation of Zika virus disea the affected States/UTs.
- Indian  Council  of  Medical  Research  (ICMR)  supported  the  Vi ral  Research  and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDL) in the affected States for testing clinical sample
- IEC material prepared by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare was provided to t affected States.
- Surveillance strategy to ensure that the disease has not spread beyond the containment zone was provided to the affected States.
- Financial support was ensured through National Health Mission.

| States/UTs           |   2017 |   2018 |   2019 |
|----------------------|--------|--------|--------|
| Gujarat              |      3 |      1 |      0 |
| Tamil Nadu           |      1 |      0 |      0 |
| Madhya Pradesh       |      0 |    130 |      0 |
| Rajasthan            |      0 |    159 |      0 |
| All other States/UTs |      0 |      0 |      0 |
| Total                |      4 |    290 |      0 |

(d)& (e) : Zika Virus disease is primarily spread by bite of infected Aedes mosquito. It can also be transmitted through body fluids such as semen (sexual route) and through transfusion. A pregnant women infected with Zika Virus can pass the virus to fetus d pregnancy or at time of birth. Transmission of infection thro ugh tears, saliva, sweat etc. has not been conclusively established.