Lok Sabha Question No. 991 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-03
Subject: Zika Virus
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Sunil Dattatray Tatkare, Supriya Sadanand Sule, Amol Ramsing Kolhe, Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, DNV Senthilkumar. S.

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 991 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03 RD  DECEMBER 2021

## ZIKA VIRUS

## 991. Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma:

Shri Sunil DattatrayTatkare:

ShrimatiSupriyaSule:

- Dr. AmolRamsingKolhe:
- Dr. SubhashRamraoBhamre:
- Dr. DNV Senthilkumar. S.:

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

- (a) whether some cases of Zika virus have been reported in various parts of the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has sent any expert team to affected States in this regard, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of the instructions issued by the Government to States/UTs to deal with the Zika virus;
- (d)  whether  the  country  has  the  infrastructure  and  expertise  for  testing  and  treating  persons infected with Zika virus; and
- (e)if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  action  plan  of  the  Government  to  prevent  the  virus  from spreading in India?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

- (a) Cases of Zika virus have been reported from various parts of the country. Outbreaks of Zika were reported in 2021 from Kerala, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh with 83, 1 and 149 cases, respectively, as on 27th Nov, 2021.
- (b) The  Government  has  sent  Central  teams  to  all  these  States  for  initiating  control  and preventive  measures.  Central  teams  have  worked  with  State  and  District  authorities  to implement Zika containment plan as per MoHFW's guidelines.
- (c) The Government of India has formulated an action plan for Zika containment that may be adopted by the States / UTs or modified according to State /UT requirement. This action plan contains  all  macro  and  micro  details  for  managing  Zika  outbreaks  and  contains  list  of laboratories strengthened for Zika testing. Action plan can be accessed by visiting https://main.mohfw.gov.in/media/disease-alerts/national-guidelines-zika-virus disease/ action -plan-managing-zika-virus-disease
- (d) & (e) The  country has requisite expertise and infrastructure to test and treat persons infected with  Zika  virus.    It  is  a  mosquito  borne,  viral  disease  that  may  present  with  mild  fever, cough, conjunctivitis, myalgia, asthenia and rash. Disease usually lasts 2- 7 days and is not known to cause mortality. However, babies born to mothers who are infected with Zika virus during pregnancy are known to develop neurological disabilities and malformations.

Taking note of these,Government is presently doing sentinel surveillance of microcephaly.It has developed various resource material for utilization by medical practitioners, laboratories, blood banks, guidelines for mosquito control and community sensitization for prevention of the  disease.Central  teams  are  deputed  to  the  States  for  assistance  in  case  of  Zika  virus outbreak.