New Delhi: Amidst the possibility of a second wave of coronavirus and a possible third, Kerala has reported several cases of the mosquito-borne Zika virus. A total of 28 cases have been reported in the state so far with five new infections on Thursday. Adding to the crisis, experts believe Zika is a virus of “grave concern” that is the coronavirus.
Dr Naresh Gupta, Director and Professor, Maulana Azad Medical College, while talking to news agency ANI said that detailed laboratory analysis is extremely important as Zika is something that happens in local outbreaks.
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He said, “Zika is a virus of serious concern. The Zika virus is something that happens in local outbreaks. So, I think if it’s happening in a given state or location, then sentinel surveillance has done that.” These matters will be taken up.”
He also pointed out that the Zika virus is not a pandemic, but a matter of grave concern compared to COVID-19. “Coronavirus spreads to a large number of individuals, but with a mortality rate of 0.2 per cent. Most of them settle down and the recovery rate in our country is also close to 98 per cent,” Gupta said. .
“Whenever there is an outbreak, they are usually in large numbers. It is not a pandemic. However, one should not underestimate such figures. Even in the case of coronavirus, bats I have three thousand varieties. So if you look at other viruses, there are thousands of viruses. Most of these viruses will come and go whenever you are scared.”
“It’s a known virus. Maybe there’s an unknown type of this virus. We need sentinel surveillance, which means if you know you’re getting a disease that we were aware of with some symptoms , so that is the detailed laboratory analysis becomes very important. Then you can identify different viruses. I am sure that, once they have monitored and picked up these cases with extensive testing, they will be able to control it. Will be able to,” Gupta added.
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The first case of Zika virus was reported in Kerala on 9 July. High alert has been issued in all districts regarding mosquito borne virus.
The Zika virus outbreak is currently confined to Thiruvananthapuram and not in any other district as of now. In order to contain the spread of the virus to other districts, the state government has decided to increase testing.
It is advised that pregnant women should get tested immediately if they have fever or any kind of rash on the body. The containment activities are being intensified as the government has already started preparing a micro plan to contain the virus.
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