Zika scare in Andhra Pradesh. (Representational Image)
Vijayawada: The Health Department would send 20 blood samples of a six-year-old boy who is suspected to be infected with Zika virus, and of his parents and their contacts, to the National Institute of Virology in Pune on Friday for detailed analysis.
The results from there are expected in two to three days, officials said.
The boy hails from Venkatapuram village of Marripadu mandal in Nellore district. The health authorities there are carrying out a survey to ascertain if there were any more cases of such fever.
The freshwater mosquito called ‘aedes aegypti’ causes zika fever through its bite during the day time.
The Nellore district administration has roped in personnel from the panchayat raj and rural water supply departments to take up anti-larval measures, fogging operation and anti-malaria drive to keep a check on the mosquitoes.
Sanitation is being strictly maintained in the village. Health and medical camps are being held in the village.
Meanwhile, the health department is keeping a close watch on the developments related to Zika in Nellore district and are planning to initiate steps to deal with the situation, with more emphasis on maintenance of sanitation and hygiene.
State health director Dr K Padmavathi said, “We are closely monitoring the developments at a village in Nellore district. Samples will be sent on Friday. We expect the test reports in a day or two. We are not giving any state-wide alert as of now.”
Meanwhile, the health authorities say the boy is facing neurological issues and unable to identify the people, but is stable and undergoing treatment at a hospital in Chennai.
The boy developed fever three days ago and was admitted to a local hospital. When he was shifted to Narayana Medical College in Nellore, they sent the boy’s blood samples to a private lab. Its findings confirmed that he was infected with Zika virus. He was shifted to a hospital in Chennai where his blood test reports turned negative to the Zika virus.
The Nellore district administration has roped in personnel from the panchayat raj and rural water supply departments to take up anti-larval measures, fogging operation and anti-malaria drive to keep a check on the mosquitoes.
Sanitation is being strictly maintained in the village. Health and medical camps are being held in the village.
Meanwhile, the health department is keeping a close watch on the developments related to Zika in Nellore district and are planning to initiate steps to deal with the situation, with more emphasis on maintenance of sanitation and hygiene.
State health director Dr K Padmavathi said, “We are closely monitoring the developments at a village in Nellore district. Samples will be sent on Friday. We expect the test reports in a day or two. We are not giving any state-wide alert as of now.”
Meanwhile, the health authorities say the boy is facing neurological issues and unable to identify the people, but is stable and undergoing treatment at a hospital in Chennai.
The boy developed fever three days ago and was admitted to a local hospital. When he was shifted to Narayana Medical College in Nellore, they sent the boy’s blood samples to a private lab. Its findings confirmed that he was infected with Zika virus. He was shifted to a hospital in Chennai where his blood test reports turned negative to the Zika virus.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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