29-Jan-2019: Rajasthan Zika strain is endemic to Asia

The Zika virus that infected 159 people in an outbreak in Rajasthan last year, could have been circulating in India for several years and is endemic to Asia. Pune’s National Institute of Virology (NIV), an institute under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), is the first to sequence full Zika virus genomes from India.

People in the region may have been previously exposed to the virus, building herd immunity that may limit future outbreaks.

During the latter half of 2018, India recorded its first major Zika outbreaks in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Around then, the ICMR said the Rajasthan virus had been sequenced and was closely related to a virus that had caused large epidemics and birth defects in Latin America in 2015.

While endemicity means that large outbreaks, such as the Brazilian one, may not occur in India, serosurveys are needed to confirm this. In a serosurvey, a sample of the population is tested for Zika antibodies.

29-Dec-2018: India asks US health agency CDC to ‘withdraw or modify’ travel advisory

India has asked the United States’ public health agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to “withdraw or modify” an advisory it issued on December 13 warning people against travelling to Rajasthan due to an outbreak of the Zika virus.

India has sent a rebuttal to CDC along with all research done on the Zika strain in India, the cases reported, measures taken, etc..

The CDC had said the virus was endemic to India and pointed out “there is an unusual increase in the number of Zika cases in Rajasthan and surrounding states”. It cautioned pregnant women against travelling to such areas. This is because Zika infection during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects.

The health agency classified its alert under Level 2, which requires “enhanced protection”. Level 1 advises “usual precautions” and Level 3 advises against “non-essential travel”.

The government took exception to the use of “endemic” in the advisory as Zika outbreaks in India have been contained within small areas.

Indian government has sent a dossier on “all the research done on Zika in India”. Research by scientists at the Indian Council of Medical Research have reportedly shown that Zika strains in the country are less virulent than in Brazil and are not associated with microcephaly.

The National Institute of Virology in Pune has said that the gene responsible for causing microcephaly in Brazil is absent in the Indian strain after genome sequencing of the Zika virus spreading in India. The research findings of the virology institute have also been sent to CDC.

The Zika virus is transmitted mainly by Aedes mosquitoes, including Aedes aegypti, which also carries dengue. Most infected people either show no symptoms or only mild symptoms such as fever, rash, joint pain, conjunctivitis and, possibly, muscle pain and headaches that may last a week.

8-Oct-2018: Monitoring of Zika Virus Disease cases in Rajasthan

Few cases of Zika virus disease have been reported in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The present outbreak in Jaipur, Rajasthan was detected through the ICMR surveillance system. As directed by Sh. J. P. Nadda, Union Health Minister, a 7-member high level Central team was deputed to Jaipur immediately following detection of first case to assist State Government in control and containment measures.

The situation is being reviewed at the level of Union Minister of Health and monitored on a daily basis by the Secretary, Health. A high level Joint Monitoring Group of Technical Experts headed by DGHS has met twice to monitor the preparedness and response measures. Another High Level Central Team is already placed in Jaipur (since 5th October, 2018) to further oversee and assist containment operations on the field. Till date a total of 22 positive laboratory confirmed cases have been detected. A Control Room has been activated at the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to undertake regular monitoring of the situation.

All suspect cases in the defined area and mosquito samples from this area are being tested. Additional testing kits are provided to the Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratories. The State Government has been supplied with IEC material prepared to create awareness about Zika virus disease and its prevention strategies. All pregnant mothers in the area are being monitored through NHM. Extensive surveillance and vector control measures are being taken up in the area as per protocol by the state government. The State Government has been supplied with IEC material prepared to create awareness about Zika Virus diseases and its prevention strategies.

Zika virus disease is an emerging disease currently being reported by 86 countries worldwide. Symptoms of Zika virus disease are similar to other viral infections such as dengue, and include fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, and headache.

In India, the first outbreak was reported in Ahmedabad in January/February 2017 and second outbreak in July,2017 from Krishnagiri District in Tamilnadu. Both these outbreaks were successfully contained through intensive surveillance and vector management.

The disease continues to be on disease surveillance radars of Union Health Ministry although it is no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concern vide WHO notification since 18th November, 2016.

The situation continues to be monitored regularly.

15-May-2017: Centre confirms 3 Zika cases in Gujarat

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare(MoHFW) reported three laboratory-confirmed cases of Zika virus disease in Bapunagar area, Ahmedabad District, Gujarat. Three cases are confirmed in two pregnant women and one in an elderly man.