Zika cases in Rajasthan race past 100-mark within 26 days of outbreak

JAIPUR: The number of people infected with Zika virus in Rajasthan on Thursday rose to 100 within a space of 26 days, forcing the state chief secretary to hurriedly call a meeting of various government departments for containing the rapid outbreak. The rising number of cases are now coming from various parts of the city such as Sindhi Camp area, Vidhyadhar Nagar, and Benad, after it first started from Shastri Nagar.

Rajasthan Police Academy (RPA) area is the latest as one of the six persons tested positive for Zika on Thursday was a police constable. RPA is located near Shastri Nagar, the worst Zika-affected area in the city. As soon as the report of the constable testing positive for Zika came in, additional chief secretary (health) Veenu Gupta rushed to RPA. She inspected the residential quarters of policemen and found that air-coolers are still widely used. She had a meeting with the director of RPA for conducting anti-mosquito drives and keeping the area clean.

Anti-mosquito drives to be conducted

Taking lessons from outbreak of Zika at Rajput Hostel in Sindhi camp area, chief secretary DB Gupta immediately called a meeting with different departments including the police, RPA, army, tourism, public works and other government agencies. The chief secretary said that directions have been issued to conduct antimosquito drives in RPA, police lines, RAC Battalion, police stations and chowkies with the help of the health department.


Moreover, he directed officials to ensure that buildings like secretariat, courts, district collectorate and other government establishments should be free from larvae-breeding condition and should have mosquito-free environment. Tourism department was also told to conduct anti-mosquito activities at tourist places including Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar and Albert Hall.

There is a sprawling army area within a few kilometres from Shastri Nagar, where the first case of Zika was reported on September 22. Army officers were also asked to ensure that breeding of mosquitoes should not happen in the area under their control.