Govt to revamp action plan to combat Zika

NEW DELHI: The government is revisiting strategies to deal with Zika virus disease, against the backdrop of more cases being reported from closer home.

NEW DELHI: The government is revisiting strategies to deal with Zika virus disease, against the backdrop of more cases being reported from closer home.

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Union health ministry is in the process of developing a comprehensive combat plan that is expected to be ready

in two weeks.

“We have competent agencies such as Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Centre for Disease Control that have been directed to develop a comprehensive Zika virus disease strategic response framework and action plan. It will be ready soon,” said health minister JP Nadda.

Since February this year, when Zika surveillance began in the country, 15,022 human samples and 6,000 Aedes aegypti mosquitoes have been tested by the ICMR for the presence of Zika Virus, and none have returned positive.

The ministry has revised the travel advisory, which is uploaded on its website— www.mohfw.nic.in. A 24X7 control room—011-23061469, is already functioning, where an expert is present to answer queries related to Zika.