Thiruvananthapuram: Days after an outbreak of Zika virus was reported from northern Kannur district, the Kerala health department issued a directive on Monday urging people to remain vigilant against the mosquito-borne disease. The department said that symptoms such as fever, headache, body pain, joint pain, and red eyes should be taken seriously. It urged the public to promptly inform healthcare workers if they notice these symptoms.
Also Read: Zika Virus: Preventive Measures Intensified, No Need To Worry, Says Kerala Government
The first infection was reported in the Thalassery area of Kannur district on October 30, and after that, a medical camp was organised in the area on November 1 during which 24 samples were collected and sent for testing.
If Zika virus symptoms are observed in patients, healthcare providers must give them special attention.
The statement was issued after a high-level meeting chaired by Health Minister Veena George held here reviewed the Zika virus cases in Thalassery. Currently, eight Zika virus cases have been confirmed there.
The department said if pregnant women are affected by the virus, there is a possibility of birth defects, such as microcephaly, in the unborn baby. Therefore, pregnant women in areas with reported cases of the disease should receive special monitoring, it said.
Microcephaly is a condition where a baby is born with a small head or the head stops growing after birth.
The department directed doctors to conduct separate examinations for pregnant women affected by fever.
Also Read: Scientists Identify Drug Target For Multiple Mosquito-Transmitted Viruses
It said the Zika virus is primarily transmitted by the Aedes mosquito, but it can also be transmitted through blood donation and sexual contact.
The department called for an intensification of activities to prevent mosquito breeding and fogging to destroy them.
It also directed schools, households, and institutions in Kannur district to observe “dry days” on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to prevent mosquito breeding.
Observing a “dry day” involves taking measures to prevent water from stagnating, which helps in avoiding the breeding of mosquitoes.
Also Read: ICMR Detects Nipah Virus Presence In Bats In Wayanad: Kerala Government
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF)status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.
