Chennai: The first case of Zika virus (ZKV) in Tamil Nadu was reported on Monday, after a 27-year-old male from Krishnagiri district in Tamil Nadu was tested positive for ZKV. “The patient was suffering from mysterious fever since June 26. He was admitted as outpatient at a public health centre on June 29, where he was tested for typhoid, swine flu, malaria, dengue and other viral fevers, which turned negative. When tested for Zika, reports turn-ed positive and were confirmed through reports from National Institute of Virology, Pune,” said Health secretary J. Radhakrishnan.
At a review meeting held on Monday, Health Minister C Vijaybaskar reiterated that adequate treatment facilities are available to treat ZKV infection in the State. He said, “The patient has completely recovered and is doing well. There is no need to panic as Tamil Nadu has enough facilities to diagnose and treat Zika virus infections. Even the PHCs are equipped to handle the ZKVcases.”
Health Department authorities said that source reduction within five sq km has been done after the case was reported in Krishnagiri.
The fever monitoring system was testing all suspected cases at King Institute of Preventive Medicine and Research, Chennai.
Zika, which is transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquito, and common symptoms of it include fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes.
Zika is reported to harm vision if children get infected. However, WHO, in its recent analysis report, said that the global risk assessment has not changed as Zika continues to spread geographically to areas where competent vectors are present. Although a decline in cases of Zika virus infection has been reported in some countries, vigilance needs to remain high.
