Multi-disciplinary team rushes to Kanpur following Zika reports

On Monday, October 25, 2021, the Union Health Ministry announced that it has rushed a high-level multi-disciplinary team to Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, where a Zika virus case had been discovered. A multidisciplinary team from the National Vector Borne Epidemic Control Programme, National Center for Disease Control, and Dr RML Hospital in New Delhi has been recruited to help state health officials in controlling and preventing the Zika virus disease. The team consists of public health specialists, an entomologist and gynaecologist.

On Saturday, a 57-year-old Indian Air Force (IAF) warrant officer became the first person in Kanpur to be diagnosed with the virus.

"The team shall work closely with the State Health Department, take stock of the situation on the ground and assess whether the Union Health Ministry's Action Plan for Zika Management is being implemented. The team will also recommend necessary public health interventions for the management of Zika in the state of Uttar Pradesh," stated the Centre in a press statement.

On Sunday, Kanpur's Chief Medical Officer Nepal Singh said the IAF officer had been suffering from a fever for several days and had been brought to the district's Air Force Hospital.

Following the patient's unusual symptoms, a blood sample was taken and sent to Pune for appropriate examination, which revealed that the patient was Zika virus positive, he added, adding that the report was obtained on Saturday.

According to Singh, 22 additional samples of those who came into contact with the patient and those who possess the same symptoms have been sent for testing.

Officials from the health and civic sectors have been put on high alert to deal with the situation. Moreover, multiple teams have been entrusted with preventing the virus's spread throughout the district, according to officials.

Mild fever, rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, or a headache are symptoms of this disease, which is caused by a virus spread mostly by Aedes mosquitoes that bite during the day.