Goa increases surveillance after Zika cases found in Kerala

PANAJI: After zika virus cases were detected in Kerala, Goa has intensified surveillance. No zika virus cases were detected in the state in the past even when they were found in other states.
“The National Vector Borne Disease Control (NVBDC) section throughout the year runs a programme for prevention and control of aedes mosquito. Goa has been doing wonderfully as far mosquito control is concerned,” state epidemiologist Dr Utkarsh Betodkar said. Despite this, he said, all health centres have been asked to monitor the situation in their areas.
The zika virus is spread by infected aedes mosquito species.
“The samples of unusual cases that will be reported by health centres or patients referred to a hospital, either private or government, will be sent for testing to the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune,” he said.
Rajasthan, Gujarat, some northern parts of Maharashtra and few other states report zika cases throughout the year.
Another health official said that while zika cases have not been reported in the state so far, the NVBDS has has been running continuous programmes for the prevention of malaria and dengue, and ensures that spots or areas that can serve as breeding grounds are destroyed. The state has been able to successfully bring down the number of malaria cases, the officer said.
Dengue is caused by an infected aedes aegypti, and though there is a rise in the number of cases that have been reported in the past three to four years, no outbreak has been reported from any area. The reported cases are sporadic, the officer said. No outbreaks of dengue in any area so far, the cases are reported are sporadic, he said.