Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a warning regarding spread of Zika virus in Asian Countries including India;
(b) if so, the details of the action plan of Government to prevent the virus from spreading in India;
(c) whether the country has the infrastructure and expertise for testing and treating persons infected with Zika virus; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
(a): World Health Organization(WHO) declared Zika virus disease to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on 1st February, 2016 following outbreak of Zika Virus Disease in Brazil and other Latin countries and its association with birth defects (Microcephaly) in new born. Further, World Health Organization declared that it ceased to be Public Health Emergency on 18th November, 2016.
(b): The Zika action plan of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has a three pronged strategy of
I. surveillance at points of entry and with community
II. Early detection and containment of the outbreak and
III. Pragmatic approach for management through merger with National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), if India becomes endemic for Zika Virus Disease.
(c) & (d): There are 27 laboratories in Government Sector that can test Zika virus disease (Annexure). The laboratory personnel in these laboratories are trained. Zika virus disease is a mild febrile illness which requires only symptomatic treatment for fever, body-ache etc.