‘Stop mosquito breeding to block Zika outbreak in Tamil Nadu’

As far as Tamil Nadu is concerned, officials are up on their feet to tackle the deadly virus, which mostly affects pregnant women and newborns. Dr S Elango, former Director, Public Health, Tamil Nadu and State President, India Public Health Association, said that Tamil Nadu must focus on curbing the breeding of aedes mosquitoes.

Mosquito-borne diseases, like dengue and chikungunya, has a perfect breeding ground in the State, as proven by many studies and ICMR. 

“When we visited areas like Tirunelveli, Tuticorin and Dindigul between December and January, a number of places were found to be offering a congenial climate for aedes mosquitoes. The immediate step that has to be initiated is to prevent the breeding of aedes mosquitoes,” he says. 

The former health director said that there needs to be an effective anti-larval and anti-adult measures in place. “The Corporation must swing into action and take preventive steps. But, there is no need to panic,” he says. 

Linked to severe birth defects in children in Brazil has been causing panic for the last few days as it is expected to infect close to 4 million people. Already several countries across have issued a travel advisory to its citizens to avoid visiting 14 countries, Brazil, Barbados, Bolivia, Colombia, Cape Verde, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guadelope, Gautemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Saint Martin, Samoa, Suriname, Tonga, US Virgin Islands and Venezuela, which are seriously prone to the virus.

Australia has advised its nationals that those if travelling to any of the countries listed above, are strongly urged to protect themselves by taking measures to prevent mosquito bites. 

The US, the UK, several Asian countries, including India, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and China have also issued similar alert to its people travelling to the 14 places. In a common message, these countries have said that until more is known about Zika virus, we advise women who are pregnant or those who are actively seeking to get pregnant to consider postponing travel to any area where Zika virus transmission is ongoing (see list above). 

If you do decide to travel, talk to your doctor first and follow steps to prevent mosquito bites.