Zika Virus Detected Near Bangalore, Karnataka Government Issues Advisory: Expert Shares Preventive Measures

The Karnataka Health Department is setting up surveillance measures after the Zika virus was detected in a mosquito pool in the Chikkaballapura district of Banglore, as per a report by the National Institute of Virology’s (NIV) state unit. Strengthening its response, the health department of the state has also issued an advisory against Zika.

To do our part in strengthening the response against Zika virus detection, the team of OnlyMyHealth spoke to Dr Trupti Gilada, Consultant Physician in Infectious Disease, Masina Hospital, Mumbai, to learn about some preventive measures against this infection. 

Karnataka Government Advisory Against Zika Virus

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Zika virus is characterised by a rash, fever, and joint pain, and currently, there is no specific treatment available for this infection. According to the advisory, Zika is spread by the Aedes mosquito which also spreads Dengue and Chikungunya. 

Some key points shared by the Karnataka Health Department in its advisory are:

• Samples of cases that present fever along with red eyes, headache, rashes, muscle pain, and joint pain that lasts for two to seven days should be sent to the NIV for testing. 
• Samples from family members of someone detected with Zika virus should also be submitted to the NIV for confirmation.
• Zika Virus Disease (ZVD)often causes congenital anomalies in newborns. Hence samples from all pregnant women in prone areas should be collected and sent to the NIV for testing.
• Deliveries that have taken place in the last three months at both public and private healthcare facilities should be assessed to rule out congenital anomalies.
• House-to-house visits should be conducted in the containment area, on a daily basis by Health staff & ASHA workers.

Zika Virus Prevention

Dr Gilada said, “Treatment for Zika is symptomatic, and unfortunately there is no vaccine against it yet. Basically, adequate rest, proper hydration, and being particular with your medications are key methods for managing the symptoms.”

“Sometimes there can be bleeding during ZVD. To lower this risk, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines should be avoided until dengue can be ruled out,” she added. 

Listing some preventative measures against ZVD, she shared:

• Control mosquito breeding in your house and community, by removing stagnant pools of water or sewage.
• Protect yourself from mosquito bites. Wear fully covered clothes when going out in the morning, and always use mosquito repellant sprays or creams. 
• Vector-borne diseases, like ZVD, prevail during the monsoons. So take extra precautions during this season.
• Stay hydrated, eat balanced meals, exercise, and get adequate sleep to keep your immunity up against infectious diseases. 

The Karnataka Health Department clarified that presently there are no human cases of Zika virus in the state. Additionally, ZVD is a mild infection that rarely ever requires hospitalisation.  However, as there is no specific drug or vaccine for ZVD, precautions are of utmost importance.