- Zika virus found in Karnataka district, govt on high alert mode
- Special meetings have already been held by the health authorities and officers have been given clear directions to mitigate the crisis in the initial stages.
- The Karnataka Health Department is on high alert after the detection of the deadly Zika virus in mosquitoes in Chikkaballapur district,
- The health department stated that in 68 different places of the state, mosquitoes were tested for the presence of Zika virus in their bodies.
- The health authorities swung into action immediately after the development and initiated preventive measures to contain the spread of the virus.
- The health authorities are closely monitoring about 5,000 people in the region.
- Zika virus is a mosquito-borne viral infection. The symptoms are fever, rash, headache, joint pain, red eyes, and muscle pain. Zika can cause birth defects.
This mosquito carrying the Zika virus was among various samples collected during a state-wide campaign, and the results confirming the presence of the virus were received on October 25.
The state health department has issued an alert after mosquito samples in Talakayalabetta village in Chikkaballapura were found to be infected with the Zika virus. The samples were collected from the Talakayalabetta area, around 60 km from Bengaluru, in August. As a precautionary measure, an extensive analysis of fever cases in the area is underway, officials familiar with the matter said on Thursday.
Health authorities have sent blood samples from individuals with high fever to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) for testing. The Zika virus was initially found in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, following the examination of samples from six different water bodies in Chikkaballapura in late August.
The health department however clarified that while the Zika virus has been detected in mosquito samples from Talakayalabetta, no cases have been reported in humans as of now. However, as a preventive measure, authorities issued an alert within a five-kilometer radius of the affected area to contain the breeding of mosquitoes.
State Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao reassured the public that no individuals have tested positive for the Zika virus. “We will be monitoring the situation. A few people were showing some symptoms of fever and rashes. They have been kept in the hospital and checked. Their samples have been sent for further examination. Some of them have also been discharged from the hospital. They are okay,” he said.
The state health department remains on alert following the Zika virus detection in mosquitoes within the Chikkaballapura district. Health authorities have conducted special meetings to develop clear strategies to address the situation proactively.
Additionally, blood samples from pregnant women and individuals displaying fever symptoms have been collected from villages within a five-kilometer radius of Talakayalabetta village and sent for testing in Bengaluru.
Last year, a five-year-old girl from Karnataka was confirmed to be infected with the Zika virus.
(With inputs from agencies)
