Zika virus threat looms large in Kerala

Speaking on the side-lines of an International seminar on 'Infection Control Conference' at KIMS hospital, Dr Chandrasekhar, who is also a fellow of Infectious Diseases Society in America, said Zika virus are spreading explosively in America.

“The tropical conditions of India especially Kerala are so similar to America. If the Zika virus reaches here, the situation can be worse. The virus causes deformities in newborn children.”

The alarming presence of Aedes mosquitoes, which are already spreading dengue and chikungunya in Kerala, is favourable for the outbreak of the disease, he added. What we need is proper antibiotic use and timely diagnose of the disease, he said.

Based on the available information of previous outbreaks, severe forms of disease requiring hospitalisation is uncommon and fatalities are rare. There is no vaccine or drug available to prevent/ treat Zika virus disease at present.

Zika Virus disease is an emerging viral disease transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. This is the same mosquito that is known to transmit infections like dengue and chikungunya. It was first identified in Uganda in 1947. 

World Health Organization has reported 22 countries and territories in America from where local transmission of Zika virus has been reported. Microcephaly in the newborn and other neurological syndromes (Guillain Barre Syndrome) have been found temporally associated with Zika virus infection.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday congratulated a doctoral student hailing from Uttar Pradesh who is part of a team in the US which successfully decoded Zika virus, saying the entire country was proud of her achievement. 

“Congratulations to Devika Sirohi from Meerut, who is part of the US team that has successfully decoded Zika virus,” he tweeted. 

The Home Minister said Devika not only made her family but also the country proud. “The achievement of Devika Sirohi highlights the importance of girl child education,” he said. 

The 29-year-old doctoral student in a US university is said to be the youngest member of the team of seven researchers.