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INDIA-HEALTH-ZIKA
Zika virus outbreak under control in western Indian state: official
NEW DELHI, Nov 10, 2018 (BSS/XINHUA) – The spread of Zika virus has been
brought under control in the western Indian state of Rajasthan, state health
minister Kalicharan Saraf confirmed on Saturday.
Speaking to Xinhua over phone from the state capital Jaipur, Saraf said,
“There have been no deaths in the state due to Zika virus so far, and all the
136 patients who were affected by Zika virus have been treated and are doing
well now.”
He further stated that there was no shortage of medical facilities in the
state, and enough precautions were being taken to check the spread of the
virus.
The state’s health minister on Wednesday visited the Zika-affected areas
in Jaipur’s Shastri Nagar area and reviewed initiatives being taken by the
health officials in checking the spread of the virus, according to the local
media.
Later, the minister told the media that the situation was under control in
the city.
“There are sufficient medicines available … The samples of those
suffering from fever or showing symptoms of Zika virus are being sent to
S.M.S. Hospital for further tests. The guidelines of union health ministry
are being followed,” he said.
Zika virus disease is spread by daytime-active Aedes mosquitoes. Its
symptoms include fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain,
and headache.
This is the third Zika virus outbreak in India since January 2017.
The first outbreak of Zika was reported in India in January 2017 in the
western state of Gujarat, while the second outbreak was reported in the
southern state of Tamil Nadu in July 2017. Both outbreaks were contained.
BSS/XINHUA/SSS/1457 hrs