The
Centre has decided to constitute a technical group to monitor the situation
arising out of spread of Zika virus
and strengthen its surveillance system.
Recently
WHO has warned that the virus is spreading "explosively" and can
affect countries like India. The Zika virus is already "spreading explosively" in the Americas and
can infect upto four million people, a warning signal to all countries.
Key Facts about Zika Virus:
ü Aedes Aegypti mosquito carries
Zika virus which is believed to cause neurological problems like microcephaly, a
condition of abnormally small head in babies.
ü This
mosquito also carries the viruses that cause Dengue
and Chikungunya which are of great public health concern in tropical
countries like India.
ü The
outbreak began in Brazil last year and has now spread to 24 countries in the Americas.
Technical group setup by GOI:
v Government
of India has primarily set its focus on
v Strengthening
the surveillance system.
v Prevention
to control the spread of the Aedes mosquito that breeds in clean water.
v Greater
awareness among community.
Ø Many
American countries like El Salvador, Colombia and Ecuador have urged women to
postpone pregnancy till 2018.