Now its Zika virus which has created a global scare as a threat to the nation after dengue and Chikungunya. The virus spreads through the infected mosquito bite, Aedes Egypty, which breeds in fresh water, and given India’s poor public hygiene, such pools are very large in number.
Bengaluru doctors, have started their research and are getting themselves updated about the disease. But the Union health ministry and the state health department are yet to take concrete action.
Doctors of Bengaluru say, it may be at a risk as a large number of people travel to South America and other countries where the virus has struck. Contributing to it would be the city’s garbage menace and the resultant mosquitoes.
Dr GM Vamadeva, director, health and family welfare department, said, “There is no need to fear.The virus has not yet come to India. We have no power to issue guidelines. The Centre must do it . We are yet to understand what kind of surveillance needed to screen travelers coming from the affected countries.”
Dr Satish Amar nath, head of quality compliance and outreach programmes at Manipal hospital, said India is vulnerable to Zika infection. “It’s definitely going to be a threat. A lot of Indians travel to South America. The government must set up systems at airports to screen those coming from the affected areas. We do not have facilities to test, identify and monitor Zika. Commercial testing kits are the need of the hour,” he told the media.
