Zika virus detected in Gujarat

The shocking news that the Gujarat State government with the help of Central government kept the outbreak of Zika virus cases, all laboratory confirmed, a secret for 5 months (so far three cases were confirmed positive in Ahmedabad, Gujarat in early January 2017) hidden away from the public domain has come as a shock to health experts. As per the guidelines, the health authorities must release reports for all infectious disease outbreaks,release public information and necessary precautions,on a weekly and if necessary daily basis, whether for malaria or for dengue and chikungunya viral illnesses.

The Zika virus is a virus infection, transmitted by the mosquito bite of Aedes aegypti( the same mosquito that transmits Dengue and Chikungunya) and similarly manifests with mild symptoms like mild fever, skin rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise or headache. These symptoms normally last for 2-7 days. Unlike the above viral diseases Zika is also transmitted sexually. The disease in pregnant women leads to microcephaly or small head in the babies and is also linked to neurological diseases.

Pregnant woman also tested Zika positive

Out of the 3 cases that the Union Health ministry confirmed, one was a 34 year old pregnant woman who was detected to be positive after delivery.

The news of positive Zika cases came to the public domain now, 5months after the cases were reported, only after the World Health Organization(WHO) has published a ‘member state report’ on its website.

This is what the WHO Report has to say: “This report is important as it describes the first cases of Zika virus infections and provides evidence on the circulation of the virus in India. These findings suggest low level transmission of Zika virus and new cases may occur in the future,” adding that “WHO does not recommend any travel or trade restriction to India based on the current information available.”

The degree of neglect in managing health issues which concern large populations in India is unprecedented.